Home
Talks
Podcasts
The History of Ceramics
Josiah Wedgwood - Part 2
Josiah Wedgwood - Part 2
How did Wedgwood combine pottery with politics? Paul Greenhalgh is joined by Sir Tristram Hunt to discuss the life and work of potter and abolitionist Josiah Wedgwood who created one of the most famous ceramic companies in British history.
Ceramics and artwork in this week’s episode include:
Dinner Plate ‘Frog Service’, 1773, Josiah Wedgwood & Sons Courtesy of V&A Museum
Plate ‘Frog Service’, 1773–1774, Josiah Wedgwood & Sons Courtesy of V&A Museum
Portland Vase, 1790, Josiah Wedgwood & Sons Courtesy of V&A Museum
Vase (Creamware), 1764–68, Josiah Wedgwood & Sons Courtesy of V&A Museum
The Founding of Australia. By Capt. Arthur Phillip R.N., Sydney Cove, Jan. 26th 1788 Algernon Talmage
Medallion, 1790–95, Josiah Wedgwood & Sons Courtesy of V&A Museum
Vase (Black Basalt), 1775–80, Josiah Wedgwood & Sons Courtesy of V&A Museum
Milk Jug, 1785—95, Josiah Wedgwood & Sons Courtesy of V&A Museum
Saucer, 1795—1810 , Josiah Wedgwood & Sons Courtesy of V&A Museum
Portrait Medallion, 1775–80, Josiah Wedgwood & Sons Courtesy of V&A Museum
Vase, Circa 1800—10, Josiah Wedgwood & Sons Courtesy of V&A Museum
Dancing Hours Plaque, 1778, Josiah Wedgwood & Sons and John Flaxman Courtesy of V&A Museum
Dancing Hours Salt Cellar, 1786—90, Josiah Wedgwood & Sons and John Flaxman Courtesy of V&A Museum
Vase, Circa 1800—10, Josiah Wedgwood & Sons Courtesy of V&A Museum
Teapot and cover (Black Basalt), 1810, Josiah Wedgwood & Sons Courtesy of V&A Museum
Bust (Black Basalt), 1770–80, Josiah Wedgwood & Sons Courtesy of V&A Museum
Teapot (Caneware), 18th Century, Josiah Wedgwood & Sons Courtesy of V&A Museum
Edward Gibbon, 1737–94
Portland Vase, Circa 1–25 AD
Portland Vase, 1790, Josiah Wedgwood & Sons Courtesy of V&A Museum
Josiah Wedgwood statue, Stoke-on-Trent, 1862–3, Edward Davis
Anti-slavery medallion, Circa 1787, Josiah Wedgwood & Sons Courtesy of V&A Museum
Professor Paul Greenhalgh is a specialist on the art and design of the Modern period. He has written widely on Art Nouveau and curated several exhibitions including the major survey Art Nouveau 1890-1914, which toured internationally (2000-01). His books include Ephemeral Vistas (1988), Modernism in Design (1990), Art Nouveau 1890–1914 (2000), The Modern Ideal (2005), Fair World (2011), L’Art Nouveau: La Revolution Decorative (2013), Ceramic Art and Civilisation (2021) and Pablo Picasso: The Legacy of Youth (2022). He has held positions as Head of Research at the V&A Museum, London; President and Director at the Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington DC; Director of the Sainsbury Centre, Norwich; and Inaugural Director of the Zaha Hadid Foundation, London. He was born and raised in Bolton, and is a proud Lancastrian.
Stephanie Rozene is a ceramic artist, Professor of Art, and the Ceramics Program Coordinator at Hartwick College in Oneonta, New York she has been teaching, writing and making art since 2004. At Hartwick she's been honored with the Wandersee Scholar in Residence award twice, along with the Teacher Scholar Award. Stephanie's research uses historical ornament and porcelain as a visual language to critique contemporary political rhetoric, and she also explores the history of clay as a cooking tool. Her work has been shown extensively both nationally and internationally. She is a member of the International Academy of Ceramics and is the Vice President of the board of trustees for the Watershed Center for Ceramic Arts in Newcastle, Maine, and was educated at NSCAD University in Nova Scotia, Canada and the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University.
More episodes
More episodes
02:11
Introducing The History of Ceramics
The History of Ceramics brings together British art historian & curator Paul Greenhalgh and U.S. maker and academic Stephanie Rozene as they reveal the most surprising stories from this often-overlooked corner of art history.
39:31
The First Pot
In this episode Paul Greenhalgh and Stephanie Rozene travel back to the earliest civilisations to find out how they created the very first ceramic objects and what that meant to the story of mankind.
57.36
Adelaide Alsop Robineau - The Pioneering Potter
In this episode Paul Greenhalgh and Stephanie Rozene discuss the life and work of Adelaide Alsop Robineau who made the Mona Lisa of American ceramics – the Scarab Vase – that was later stolen in an audacious art heist.
51:34
Josiah Wedgwood - Part 1
In the next two episodes Paul Greenhalgh is joined by Sir Tristram Hunt as they travel back to 18th century England and the life and work of Josiah Wedgwood - potter, scientist and abolitionist and creator of one of the most famous ceramic companies in British history.
View episode