Étude pour une céramique, Urne

A decorative study for a ceramic urn — the vessel is drawn in heavy dark blue ink outlines on cream paper, with scrolled handles, a wavy rim, and three registers of ornamental panels. The panels contain crosses, rosettes, and abstract symbols in teal, yellow, brown, and blue watercolor. Derain worked extensively in decorative and applied arts throughout his career, particularly after his turn toward classicism around 1910. He designed ceramics, theater sets and costumes, book illustrations, and furniture, drawing freely on Greek, medieval, and folk sources.