Bernard Palissy: Artist and Martyr

by Erika Miller
Published December 11th, 2022.

Bernard Palissy was best known for his unique style of rustic Renaissance-era pottery that used casts of shells, plants, and live animals to depict a realistic view of pond life through ceramics. He was also an author, natural scientist, and lecturer. Most notably, Palissy was an outspoken supporter of the Protestant Reformation in France and lost his life while imprisoned for his faith. 

Palissy came from a humble background. He was born into a poor French family circa 1510. Despite this, he managed to study practical sciences such as geometry and land surveying. Early in his career, he apprenticed as a glass painter and later supported himself as a land surveyor and portraitist. 

Palissy's deep interest in ceramics began after he saw a unique piece of foreign pottery. The white enameled cup (likely from China) made such an impression on Palissy that he labored tirelessly trying to replicate it. He was so determined to succeed that he eventually resorted to breaking down the furniture and floorboards of his home to fuel the kiln. 

After 16 years of tireless work, Palissy found himself crafting a new category of pottery more unique than his inspiration. His rustic pottery used casts of live animals, plants, and rocks found in waterscapes to give each piece a realistic look. This style of pottery is now known as “Palissy Ware.” This is the work that finally gained Palissy his first noble patron, Anne, Duke of Montmorency. After seeing Palissy's workshop, the Duke immediately commissioned him to decorate a manor home in Paris. 

Though Palissy had an intense passion for pottery, his true life’s passion found him in 1546, when he became one of the first Protestant converts of Saintes, France. In 1559, this conversion had him imprisoned, though thankfully, it was short-lived. The Duke of Montmorency pleaded for his release from Queen Catherine de Medici. The queen granted the Duke's request and gave Palissy the official court title of “The King's Inventor of Rustic Figurines.”

Palissy was not shy in making his faith known. He had a reputation for boldness as he openly criticized public figures either verbally or through his writings. He was a founder and active member of the Reformed Church of Saintes and routinely defended his pastor when met with persecution. Though the nobles who enjoyed his work were Catholic, they often turned a blind eye or even directly protected him from persecution. An example of this is how Palissy was spared from St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre because he had been warned to flee.

However fortunate Palissy was to have favor with people in power, this protection ended in 1588 when he was imprisoned again while the French Wars of Religion were intensifying. As Palissy sat in prison with two other believing women, King Henry III visited to offer Palissy his freedom if he would recant his faith. To which Palissy replied, 

“These girls and I, who have part in the kingdom of heaven, we will teach to talk royally. The Guise party, all your people and you yourself cannot compel a Potter to bow down to images of clay.”