Figure of a woman with a watering can c. 1755 - 1780

Editor: Here we have a ceramic sculpture titled "Figure of a woman with a watering can" created sometime between 1755 and 1780 by an artist from Doornik. It's a dainty little figurine; its monochromatic surface makes the details seem almost ghost-like. What strikes you most about this work? Curator: It's precisely the surface you mention that commands attention. The uniform glaze draws our focus not to coloristic interplay, but rather to the modulation of form. Observe how the artist employs a series of curvilinear lines—the gentle sweep of her hat brim, the rounded shape of the watering can, the cascading folds of her dress. Editor: The curves definitely give it a very soft and feminine feel. Curator: Precisely. And note how the light plays across those surfaces. The high gloss enhances the perception of volume, defining the figure against the neutral ground. Consider, too, the tension between the static pose and the implied action; she's caught mid-pour, yet the composition retains perfect balance. Editor: So, it’s less about the everyday scene and more about how it's been crafted? Curator: Indeed. While genre scenes held a certain appeal, particularly in the Rococo period, this work, I would argue, transcends mere depiction. Its emphasis on formal qualities—line, volume, surface—prioritizes aesthetic contemplation. The inherent beauty of the sculpted form supersedes any narrative concerns. Editor: That's a different way of seeing it, it's true I was caught up in the simple charm of the scene itself, rather than appreciating the artful techniques employed to create such a detailed object. Thanks for sharing your perspective. Curator: A valuable reminder to look past the surface!