Figure of a dancing boy by Höchst

Figure of a dancing boy c. 1767 - 1775

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Dimensions: height 15.8 cm, width 8.2 cm, depth 8.3 cm

Copyright: Rijks Museum: Open Domain

This is Höchst’s ‘Figure of a Dancing Boy,’ a porcelain sculpture, measuring about 15 centimeters in height. The sculpture captures a moment of lightness and exuberance with a dancing boy. It is poised on a small, mound-like base. The figure's gentle asymmetry creates a dynamic rhythm, emphasized by his tilted posture and the garland he playfully raises. Höchst utilizes a restrained palette where the pastel hues of the figure's attire subtly contrast with the porcelain's stark whiteness. These elements of color, shape, and line all contribute to the overall sense of movement and youthful joy. The porcelain material, so meticulously crafted, allows a semiotic reading of courtly life. The figure's attire, with its details and delicate colors, presents a system of signs suggesting aristocratic elegance. The sculpture destabilizes the traditional seriousness associated with portraiture, injecting a sense of playfulness. Notice how the dynamic form of the sculpture engages with broader cultural values around elegance and leisure. These readings enrich our understanding of its aesthetic and historical significance.

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