Archers (vase)

Country: Spain

Manufactory: Lladro

Date of establishment: 2015

Sculptor: Marco Antonio Nogueron

Size (cm): 60*22

Limited Series

Porcelain Story

There was a time when I hardly paid any attention to vases. Well, a vase is a vase, nothing to see. Perhaps it's because I only met painted vases at that time. I began to take note and understand that even they are at times (as I began to take note and understand later) an incredible wonder, created by artists of the highest artistic level. In recent years I have become more attentive to porcelain works of art in the form of vases of various kinds, and began to identify in them a huge number of styles, techniques and recognizable signature of the masters of the famous factories, skillfully conveying in these works the traditions of their people, and unique technological advances, and fascinating subjects.

Among the hundreds of different vases, collected in our collection, there are ancient Japanese, and traditional Ukrainian, and unusual French, and easily recognizable Dutch products. But in all this creative discordance still allocate Spanish vases. I have already presented some of them to you, drawing your attention to the unusual technique of depicting on these vases independent relief subjects - with lots of subtle elements in the form of flowers, umbrellas in the hands of the heroines of these compositions, details of clothing, protruding to attract attention and creating the impression of stunning volume.

By the way, today's work can only be classified as vases in terms of genre. This is actually a full composition with a lot of characters, variously dressed and differently representing military ranks of an ancient epoch. Each (!) element of their images and clothing is palpable, because it is not a skilful drawing which highlights this or that stroke. All these relief touches are hand-crafted by the master so that you can feel them with your fingers. It's a stunning piece!

As this work is dedicated to the theme of archers, I wanted to tell you a little parable. A favorite student of a famous archer asked his mentor a question that has long bothered him:

-- Why is it that we are always faced with so many difficulties, which prevent us from achieving our goals? Why do they always lead us away from our goals and why do they force us to admit our weaknesses?

-- My friend, his teacher answered, what you call difficulties are in fact part of your purpose. Don't fight it. Just remember it and take it into account when you are setting your path. For example, before you shoot an arrow, you see the fog descending in front of you, covering the target. Are you going to fight the fog? No. You just wait for it to clear. But then the wind suddenly appears and interferes with the flight of your arrow. Will you fight the wind? No. But you can, taking into account the strength and direction of the wind, change the angle of your arrow. And then you may find the bow heavy and tight. Are you going to start wrestling with the bow? No, you are going to train your muscles, so that they will let you control the bow easily.

-- But, master, you yourself know very well that there are archers who shoot with a light and flexible bow in clear and windless weather, -- did not resent the fate of the pupil. -- Why does my shot always face so many obstacles? Sometimes I even think the universe itself interferes with my ability to achieve my goals.

-- Remember, my young friend: never pay attention to those to whom things come easily. Each of us chooses the bow, the target and the time for the shot. It's just that for some the aim is to hit it accurately, for others it's an opportunity to learn how to shoot properly.

So the master lowered his voice and leaned towards his student and added with a smile:

-- And I want to let you in on a big secret. The universe doesn't care about you. It doesn't resist you, it doesn't help you. The fog does not come down to prevent you from taking your shot. And the wind doesn't start blowing to steer your arrow away from the target. And that stiff bow was not at all designed to show you your weakness. All this, my boy, exists by itself, independent of your or my desire. You're the one who decided that you could hit the target accurately in these conditions. So either stop complaining about the difficulty and start shooting, or tame your pride and choose an easier target for yourself. For example, a target that you can shoot at point-blank range...