Tile 1757 - 1761

Editor: Here we have a ceramic tile, made sometime between 1757 and 1761 by John Sadler. It’s currently held at the Met. The figures in this print seem theatrical somehow, like actors on a stage. What catches your eye about this piece? Curator: The scene's power lies in its archetypal quality. Do you notice the clothing, the stances? They speak of established social roles, almost like stock characters in a play. What emotional cues do you find in their presentation? Editor: Well, there's definitely a performative aspect. They seem aware of being observed, right? It seems like everyone is posturing, almost showing off. I find it a little difficult to parse out each person's role. Curator: Precisely! Think about the 18th century, a period fascinated with social order and appearances. How do these figures reinforce or perhaps subtly critique the social expectations of the time through symbolic costuming and gestures? Notice anything unexpected, any subtle dissonance? Editor: I didn't think about it in terms of cultural critique. I thought these details were meant to signal the characters. But I can see how these are very posed—it suggests something less stable. That’s a clever way to present those archetypes you mentioned. Curator: And notice that these "characters" were transferred to a household object. It reveals how archetypes and stories saturated daily life, subtly reinforcing certain norms and narratives. They become more real by showing up in people's homes. Editor: That really sheds light on it for me. I wouldn’t have thought of it as an encapsulation of a performance of social norms. It adds a lot of layers. Thanks! Curator: A constant negotiation, between individual expression and societal demands – a tension still echoing in our world. The image holds up even today.