Lady with attendant 1735 - 1745

This porcelain sculpture of a Lady with attendant was made by the Meissen Manufactory in Germany. It presents us with a courtly scene that speaks volumes about the social and cultural norms of its time. The sculpture depicts a European noblewoman in an elaborate gown, attended by a Black servant. The figures are placed on an ornate base, surrounded by delicate flowers, signifying wealth, privilege, and the global reach of European power in the 18th century. The Black servant, dressed in fanciful attire, underscores the racial hierarchies and the colonial realities of the era. The Meissen Manufactory, as a royal institution, played a crucial role in shaping and reinforcing these social values. Historians interpret such pieces by examining travelogues, colonial records, and the history of institutions like the Meissen Manufactory. They reveal the complex interplay between art, power, and social identity. The art piece is a reminder that art is never neutral; it is always embedded in a specific social and institutional context.