Augustus the Strong as Roman Emperor 1723 - 1733

Curator: Wow, would you look at this! These figurines—I can’t help but smile; there’s something wonderfully theatrical about them. Editor: That's certainly a quality they were meant to convey. What we’re looking at are two porcelain figures, part of a series made by the Meissen Manufactory between 1723 and 1733. This one, depicting Augustus the Strong as a Roman Emperor, embodies Baroque flamboyance. Curator: Baroque flamboyance, indeed! He’s absolutely striking a pose! Porcelain as propaganda; it’s so delightfully absurd, you know? I love the almost caricatured regality of it all. Editor: It is, in a way, early PR. Augustus was keen on image-making, using art to solidify his power and prestige. He established the Meissen factory to produce luxury goods, and this sculpture, in a way, served to further align himself with the Roman Empire's powerful history. It links his reign to an imperial legacy, bolstering his authority in the eyes of his contemporaries. Curator: Porcelain Emperors! And imagine, these small, meticulously crafted figures, probably held so much power in their day. And you are saying this "miniature" scale amplifies their intended message? It makes me consider how people perceive power. Even the smallest objects, carefully curated, can evoke a profound sense of admiration. Editor: Exactly, the size adds a layer of intimacy. And porcelain itself carried tremendous value at the time; its delicate nature spoke of rarity and exclusivity. But it's also worth considering how these figurines functioned within the decorative arts culture of the period—display was paramount! Think of entire rooms, cabinets filled with such figures and objects, all contributing to a specific vision of taste, knowledge, and political clout. Curator: Ah, yes. I see what you mean; so, in reality, these two little sculptures, they’re also whispering about wealth and access! Amazing, so this figurine almost feels alive, charged with this long, ongoing performance of power. Thanks, now that I think of it that way it reminds me how objects themselves play roles. Editor: Precisely, it shifts our focus away from just admiring aesthetics. They're more than mere ornaments; they are artifacts of power and historical communication.