Curatorial Narrative Flix Bracquemond’s “Dinner Service (Rousseau service); Pheasants and bird (no. 18)” exemplifies the nascent modernity of late 19th-century ceramics, when artists began to push against the conventions of utilitarian ware. Crafted in 1866, this piece occupies a pivotal moment in the development of the ceramic arts, as Bracquemond’s innovative style and attention to detail laid the groundwork for the avant-garde movements that would follow.The naturalistic style exhibited by Bracquemond’s pheasant and bird forms with their deliberate brushwork and emphasis on anatomical accuracy creates a sense of atmospheric weight, drawing the viewer’s gaze into the tranquil scene. The linear quality of the brushstrokes imbues the piece with a modern sensibility, while the stark black-and-white palette instills an air of somber contemplation. When enlarged to 58×44 inches, the chromatic structure of “Dinner Service (Rousseau se