How 'Saltburn' has reintroduced obscure French ceramist to the masses

This oval dish, in the manner of Palissy, is in the shape of a pond surrounded by plant life. It was created by a Palissy follower in the late 16th century. Photo: Metropolitan Museum of Art

Since its release on Amazon Prime, Saltburn has been stirring up interest online. On social networks, Internet users are dissecting the smallest details of this feature film from director Emerald Fennell. Their attention is particularly drawn to Bernard Palissy, a French artist mentioned several times in the movie.

Palissy is first mentioned in Saltburn through the main protagonist, Oliver Quick (played by Barry Keoghan). A student from a humble background at Britain’s prestigious Oxford University, Quick befriends Felix Catton (Jacob Elordi), a young aristocrat with irresistible charm. Catton invites him to spend the summer at his family’s Saltburn estate.