Beggar 1755 - 1756

This porcelain figure of a beggar was made in England by the Chelsea Porcelain Manufactory, sometime in the mid-18th century. Its delicate material is a clue to its cultural context. Porcelain was a luxury good, its production a complex interplay of material sourcing, skilled labor, and market demand. The making of this piece involved molding, firing, and hand-painting – a labor-intensive process. Its smooth, white surface invites close inspection of the details: the texture of the beggar's tattered clothes, and the expression on his face. Note the irony of depicting poverty in such a refined material. While the figure represents a marginalized member of society, the object itself would have been a display of wealth. This contrast forces us to consider the complex relationship between art, labor, and social class in 18th-century England, challenging our notions of beauty, value, and representation.