The Menil Collection The Menil Collection

The shape of this shallow dish is called a coupelle from the French meaning “small cup.” It may have been used for small portions of food or for display as an ornamental dish. It was crafted by Leonard Limosin, one of the most celebrated artists in Limoges, France, in the 16th century. In the mid-15th century Limoges emerged as the preeminent European center for the production of painted enamel work, a technique in which a glass-like glaze is fused onto the surface of a metal object. Unlike paints, which tend to darken, chip, or scratch, enamel produces a durable and fade-resistant surface. Limosin’s painted enamels on copper were highly prized by royal patrons, including King Francis I and his successor, Henri II. The interior of the bowl exemplifies Limosin’s mastery of grisaille, a monochromatic painting method that employs shades of grey to create an illusion of sculptural designs. Here, seven small genre scenes show agriculture workers, merchants, and hunters carrying out the tasks associated with autumn. On the exterior, a repeated grisaille motif of scrollwork and fantastic beings surrounds a miniature landscape depicted in color.