Harlequin and Columbine

Inspired by a variety of contemporary cultural influences, including the theater and everyday life, the figures in this case represent the inventive capabilities of 18th-century porcelain production. The repertoire of porcelain forms expanded to include figures such as the Meissen Tailor, one of a series of craftsmen and artisans. The tailor is realistically rendered, equipped with a roll of cloth, pair of shears and yardstick. Kändler's Harlequin and Columbine, as well as the Italian Pulcinella (in the adjacent case), represent characters from the Italian Commedia dell'arte, a type of improvised comic drama popular in Europe. Kändler's probable attendance at performances appears in his characteristically expressive facial features and the theatrical vitality of the engaging figures. Juno and Jupiter, with their attributes the peacock and eagle, reflect a renewed interest in classical mythology. These larger scale figures, made possible by a thicker porcelain composition, provided greater expanses on which to paint elaborate details such as their elegant robes.

Purchase: William Rockhill Nelson Trust