Child (one of a pair) 1776 - 1786

This porcelain figure of a child was crafted in the late 18th century by the Fulda Pottery and Porcelain Manufactory. Observe how the child is dressed in the fashion of the era, with meticulous detail in the rendering of his coat, waistcoat, and breeches. His stance, with one hand casually placed on his hip, is particularly telling. This pose echoes across centuries, reminiscent of classical sculptures where the contrapposto stance conveyed dignity and self-assurance. We see it echoed in Renaissance portraits, the hand on the hip a signifier of power and confidence. But here, on a child, what does it signify? Perhaps a commentary on the affected manners of the aristocracy, where even children were taught to embody a certain posture. The formal attire and confident pose create a tension, a psychological interplay between innocence and artificiality. It invites us to reflect on how society shapes identity. The image is frozen in time, yet its echoes resound through history, constantly shifting, adapting, and reappearing in new forms.