Rare find Germany Fragonard plate West Germany Hutschenreuther Handled 12" Cake Platter - FRAGONARD LOVE STORY

This is a stunning cake plate with the Fragonard theme. It measures 12" from handle to handle.

The vintage plate was made in Western Germany. It has no paint loss, intact gold paint, no chips, cracks or crazing.

STAMP
JKW mark stamped over a Hutschenreuther mark.
Decor Carlsbad
BAVARIA
SYLVIA
Beehive stamp
Number 13

The terms Fragonard Courting Couple or Fragonard Love Story refer to a motif inspired by the work of the French artist, Jean Honoré Fragonard (1732-1806). Fragonard, born in Grasse, on the now French Riviera, was a painter and printmaker from the Rococo (Roccoco or Late Baroque) movement and later Neoclassical style. During his youth and study time, he toured Italy and was very taken and impressed by his surroundings. There he came across romantic gardens and pastures, with grottos, terraces, fountains and temples, which were a great inspiration to him. His works featured pastoral landscapes and romantic scenes of love with even cupids, cherubs and the odd mythical creature, just like his fellow Rococo painters. Their creations also involved portraiture, depicting aristocratic courting couples on leisurely outings or at secret meetings.

During this time, Fragonard depended on rich art patrons from the courts of the last two kings of France: Louis XV and Louis XVI. The French Revolution, which began in 1789, put an end to everything since most of his patrons were either guillotined or had to go into exile. Fragonard himself kept his head and went into exile instead… leaving Paris to later return and die there. He remained somewhat forgotten for many years afterwards.