Swarming School of Style: Fornasetti's Vibrant "Pesci" Dinner Plates

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Swarming School of Style: Fornasetti's Vibrant "Pesci" Dinner Plates

Dive into the vibrant, hypnotic depths of this captivating Set of … Read more Swarming School of Style: Fornasetti's Vibrant "Pesci" Dinner Plates

Dive into the vibrant, hypnotic depths of this captivating Set of Six Porcelain Plates by Piero Fornasetti, featuring the dynamic, multicolored "Pesci" (Fish) pattern. Circa the 1970s, this collection showcases a dazzling departure from his famous black-and-white motifs, highlighting Fornasetti's mastery of polychrome graphic illustration.

Dimensions (Each): 10 inches diameter x 1 inch high (25.4 cm diameter)

Design and Detail:

Each plate transforms into a unique window onto a mesmerizing underwater world. The collective design creates a dizzying tableau of swirling schools of fish, each plate boasting a distinct colorway and composition:

Blue/Silver Flash: Sleek, silvery-blue fish suggesting rapid, darting movement.

Emerald & Gold Bloom: A dense cluster of fish with striking green and yellow fins/scales.

Coral Reef Graphics: A graphic array of fish with prominent orange bodies and metallic teal/blue backs.

Textured Treasure: Large and small fish depicted in rich, textured golden-yellow and brown tones.

Dramatic Reds: Bold reddish-orange fish with striped golden fins and prominent red tails.

When displayed together, the six unique compositions and color palettes create a lively, swirling "aquatic assemblage," transforming the dinner table into an imaginative encounter with nature’s hidden patterns.

Historical Context: The Designer's Evolution

The "Pesci" pattern belongs to Piero Fornasetti’s (1913-1988) later output, demonstrating his evolving style in the 1970s. While he built his name on Surrealist-infused mid-century black-and-white iconography, this series reflects his lifelong fascination with detailed, encyclopedic imagery reminiscent of old natural history books.

The use of high-quality polychrome transfer printing allowed Fornasetti to achieve the vibrant colors, subtle shading, and detailed cross-hatching required to bring the fish to life. The Pesci series uses the organic forms of the swimming schools to create a sense of genuine movement and depth on the flat porcelain surface, cementing Fornasetti’s status as an influential figure who could seamlessly blend scientific illustration with sophisticated functional design.

Reference:

Fornasetti: Designer of Dreams, Patrick Mauriès, Thames and Hudson, Page 264, #164 (Where the Pesci pattern is illustrated).

(Ref: NY10689-nnlr) See less