Milk jug with birds in a landscape c. 1765

Curator: So, we’re looking at this delightful Ansbach milk jug, made around 1765 of painted porcelain, sitting in the Rijksmuseum. Aren't these objects captivating? Editor: It’s a pretty thing! What strikes me first is the tranquility; the delicate rendering of the birds against the pale porcelain feels very peaceful. What do you see when you look at it? Curator: The jug’s curves themselves feel like a sigh, don't they? Then there’s the little rosebud handle on the lid, just *begging* to be noticed. Rococo decorative art is really all about that gentle playfulness, finding nature and re-presenting it in an almost edible form. Imagine holding this while taking tea... Can you imagine the kind of wealthy household it lived in? Editor: Oh, absolutely, it's pure luxury! I wonder, do you think the artist had specific birds in mind, or were they more symbolic representations? Curator: I imagine the artist took liberties, capturing their essence rather than their exact likeness. Perhaps it’s a landscape of the mind, wouldn't you agree? After all, aren't dreams the real landscapes? Editor: That's lovely - a landscape of the mind. I never considered that porcelain could be so…expressive. Curator: It really is, isn't it? Looking at it this way, a simple milk jug suddenly holds a universe of ideas. Editor: This was great. It really opened my eyes. Thanks!