John Derian Sargent Venetian Canal Mini Tray

Art-inspired housewares from The Met.

This artful tray was crafted exclusively for The Met by New York City–based designer John Derian, who's celebrated for his unique decoupage decorations on hand-blown glass plates, trays, bowls, and more. Featured is a detail from John Singer Sargent's (American, 1856–1925) atmospheric Venetian Canal (1913) in the Museum's holdings. Like many of his contemporaries, Sargent was captivated by Venice, and visited the city frequently between 1898 and 1913. For the focal point of this watercolor, he chose the scenic 11th-century tower of the Church of San Barnaba. He positioned himself close to the water, as if in a gondola, to present a view looking down the Rio de San Barnaba toward the Grand Canal.

We're delighted to present this item in celebration of Sargent and Paris. This Met exhibition explores the early career of the American painter John Singer Sargent, from his arrival in Paris in 1874 through the mid-1880s, when his infamous portrait Madame X was a scandalous success at the Paris Salon. Over the course of one extraordinary decade, Sargent achieved recognition by creating boldly ambitious portraits and figure paintings that pushed the boundaries of conventionality. Beyond the portrait studio, he traveled in search of inspiration for his art—finding subjects in Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and North Africa. This exhibition gathers Sargent's diverse works from this period to illuminate his path to becoming an artist, which was indelibly shaped by his experiences in the French capital. These visually stunning works provide a compelling view of the Paris art world of the late 19th century.