Brighella on a pedestal 1710 - 1713

This porcelain figure of Brighella on a pedestal was made by the Meissen Manufactory. Brighella, a stock character from the Italian Commedia dell'arte, emerges from a world steeped in social commentary and improvisation. With his half-mask, he embodies wit and cunning, often depicted as a clever servant navigating the complexities of class and social mobility. The Commedia dell'arte was known for its transgressive nature, using humour and satire to critique the aristocracy. Brighella stands on a pedestal. Does this elevate him? Or mock him? Consider the politics of laughter and the subversive potential of performance. Here, Brighella, in all his performative glory, uses humour to reveal uncomfortable truths about power, identity, and the human condition. He asks us to consider who has the right to speak, who has the right to be heard, and who ultimately holds the power.