Celestial Muse: Fornasetti "Tema E Variazioni" Plate, the Sun (Motiv 18)

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Celestial Muse: Fornasetti "Tema e Variazioni" Plate, The Sun (Motiv 18)

This is a rare and exceptional plate from the … Read more Celestial Muse: Fornasetti "Tema e Variazioni" Plate, The Sun (Motiv 18)

This is a rare and exceptional plate from the globally recognized Themes & Variations (Tema e Variazioni) series by Piero Fornasetti (1913–1988). Produced by the Rosenthal Factory in the 1980s, this piece, Motiv Number 18, is an imaginative fusion of the series' core motif with a powerful celestial symbol.

Design and Surrealism
The plate features the enigmatic face of Fornasetti's eternal muse, the 19th-century opera singer Lina Cavalieri, who appears here transformed into the radiant Sun. The black-and-white graphic depicts her face, with its serene expression and classic features, emerging from behind swirling clouds, thus merging the earthly portrait with a cosmic archetype.

This variation, sometimes referred to as a "Julia plate," exemplifies the imaginative depth of the Tema e Variazioni series. Fornasetti was obsessed with Cavalieri’s face, seeing it as an "archetype" upon which he could project infinite ideas. This particular motif shows his playful use of surrealism, transforming the face into a powerful natural element—the sun—which itself is a recurring theme in his work, representing energy, vitality, and eternal presence.

Historical Context and Provenance
This plate is a highly sought-after product of the 1980s collaboration between the Fornasetti studio and Rosenthal, Germany. This strategic partnership was crucial in reviving and internationalizing Fornasetti's legacy after his death. Rosenthal expertly executed the intricate black-and-white graphic transfers on their fine porcelain, making the designer's work accessible to a new generation of collectors.

Adding to its significance, this plate boasts notable Provenance: The Iris Apfel Collection. Apfel, an iconic figure in style and collecting, was celebrated for her bold aesthetic and layered eclecticism, making a piece of Fornasetti's imaginative work a natural fit for her collection.

As designer Patrick Mauries noted, Fornasetti's work is driven by the belief that "a single product never exhausted the possibilities of an idea," leading to his prolific creation of variations on a theme.

Dimensions: Diameter: 9 1/4inches × 1 inch high (23.50cm diameter).

Marking: The reverse is clearly marked in black and white: Rosenthal/Germany over the central Fornasetti hand and paint brush logo, followed by Decor:/Temi e variazioni/ Motiv 18.

Reference Notes
Catalogue Raisonné: The imaginative concept of endless variations is detailed in: Mauries, Patrick, Fornasetti: Designer of Dreams (Thames and Hudson, 1991, or similar edition).

Citation: Mauries writes: "For Fornasetti, a single product never exhausted the possibilities of an idea. He loved to let his imagination roam, finding more and more layers of meaning and association in the process." (Page 192).

Motif Origin: Piero Fornasetti famously created over 500 variations based on the face of opera singer Lina Cavalieri, stating: "What inspired me to create more than 500 variations on the face of a woman? I don't know. I began to make them and I never stopped."

Production: The markings confirm the 1980s Rosenthal Factory production, distinguishing it from earlier studio-made or later Atelier Fornasetti pieces.

Provenance: This plate was part of The Iris Apfel Collection, enhancing its collectible desirability.

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