Teapot 1730 - 1745

This is a porcelain teapot made by the Meissen Manufactory. The porcelain was first made in Meissen, Germany, and the manufactory became a key institution in the creation of luxury goods during the eighteenth century. The image of a landscape refers to the picturesque movement in garden and landscape design. In the eighteenth century, wealthy landowners began to design gardens and landscapes that looked like paintings. The images on porcelain made in the Meissen Manufactory were often based on paintings and prints. The rise of institutions such as the art market and art academies encouraged the interchange between art forms. Here we see painting influencing landscape design, influencing porcelain design. Art history can help us understand the relationships between artistic media and social classes in the past. By researching institutions such as the Meissen Manufactory, we can better understand the social role of art.