Parrot (one of a pair) 1736 - 1746

Curator: Editor: So, these are actually two porcelain sculptures of parrots, made by the Meissen Manufactory between 1736 and 1746. They’re currently at the Met in New York. I find the detail really remarkable, but they also feel…a bit stiff, almost posed. How do you interpret these pieces? Curator: Stiff is an interesting choice of words, isn’t it? Perhaps a reflection of the constraints of the medium itself? But let's consider the context. These parrots were made during the Baroque period for the European elite. Exotic birds like these became highly prized status symbols, reflecting global trade routes and colonial power. The parrots weren’t simply decorative; they embodied a complex network of social meanings related to wealth, power, and access to the world's resources. Editor: So, you're saying the "stiffness" I see isn't just about the material, but about the message these objects were meant to send? Like, the parrot’s image represents the control over nature, people, and resources? Curator: Precisely. And the Meissen Manufactory was essentially creating propaganda—glorifying wealth. Think about the indigenous populations disrupted, resources stolen. These parrots exist because of those dynamics. They aren't simply beautiful objects; they are artifacts deeply implicated in systems of exploitation. Consider how later, Romantic artists might have rendered these birds to symbolize freedom… but here, they symbolize quite the opposite. Editor: That’s a completely different perspective than how I was initially seeing it. I guess art really is never just “art,” it always carries layers of historical baggage. Curator: Exactly. Examining the complex relationship between art, history, and power helps us understand not only the artwork, but also the society that created it. These parrots ask us to think critically about privilege and the stories we choose to tell – and leave untold. Editor: I will never look at decorative art the same way again. Thanks!