Fractured Beauty: Fornasetti "Themes & Variations" Plate #46 (Sliced Face)
1990s

A dynamic and optical porcelain wall plate from the celebrated "Themes & Variations" (Tema e Variazioni) series by Atelier Fornasetti.

This compelling variation, identified as Number 46 in the series, presents a deconstructed view of Piero Fornasetti's muse, Lina Cavalieri. The design features her iconic face sliced by sharp, horizontal white shards that cut across the image from the edges. This creates a "venetian blind" or shredded effect, fragmenting the portrait into horizontal ribbons. The visual tension between the serene expression of the subject and the aggressive, jagged interruptions demonstrates Fornasetti's fascination with optical illusions and the malleability of the image.

Markings:

Reverse: Bears the standard Fornasetti mark (eye, hand, and brush logo) inscribed Tema e Variazioni / Fornasetti Milano / Made in Italy.

Number: Hand-numbered or printed 46 (referencing the specific variation).

Condition: Excellent vintage condition. No chips, cracks, or surface wear to the transfer print.

Measurements:
Diameter: 10 inches (25.4 cm)
Height: 1 1/4 inches (3.2 cm)

Historical Context:

Variation #46 is a prime example of Fornasetti's experimentation with "breaking" the image. By slicing the face, he forces the viewer's brain to reconstruct the whole, engaging them in an active visual process that goes beyond simple observation.

The "Themes & Variations" Series:

The "Themes & Variations" (Tema e Variazioni) series is arguably Piero Fornasetti's most famous and enduring artistic legacy. The series began in 1952 after Fornasetti stumbled upon the face of Lina Cavalieri, a 19th-century operatic soprano and celebrated beauty, in an old French magazine. Captivated by her classically perfect, enigmatic features, he adopted her visage as his ultimate muse and archetype. Over the course of his life, he obsessively reimagined her face in more than 350 distinct variations"”transforming her into everything from a sun, a thief, and a clock, to surreal objects like the "Sliced Face" seen here. As Fornasetti famously explained, "I began to make them and I never stopped," proving that a single idea could provide endless creative possibilities.

(Ref: NY10982-crn)


Condition:
Alterations: Original Condition Unaltered
Imperfections: Some Imperfections
Condition Notes: Good condition

Origin:
Italy

Creator:
Brand: Atelier Fornasetti; Designer: Piero Fornasetti

Materials & Techniques:
Porcelain

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Original Condition Unaltered; Some Imperfections; Good condition