Lidded ewer — History & Facts
On this ewer everything is in motion. Animal and human forms emerge from a viscous mass. It is possible that it represents the primordial soup (prima matera) from which life arose according to alchemists.
On the inside are two crawling salamanders or lizards: animals that were also thought to originate from non-living matter. Does the ewer establish a link between the creative power of the artist and that of nature?
More Artworks by Adam van Vianen (I)
Tazza (drinking cup) with a scene of Circe and the Companions of Odysseus
Adam van Vianen (I)
Tazza (footed drinking cup) with Jupiter and Io
Adam van Vianen (I)
Two salt-cellars, one with Cain and Abel, and one with the Sacrifice of Isaac
Adam van Vianen (I)
Two salt-cellars with satyrs
Adam van Vianen (I)
Ewer and basin with scenes of land and sea battles during the Eighty Years’ War
Adam van Vianen (I)
