Friendship Consoling Affliction 1785 - 1790

Curator: This captivating ceramic relief, entitled "Friendship Consoling Affliction," was crafted between 1785 and 1790 by the Wedgwood Manufactory. The piece is currently held at the Art Institute of Chicago. Editor: The immediate impression I get is one of cool solemnity; the figures are rendered in a stark white against the grey background. It's neoclassical elegance rendered with emotional restraint. Curator: Absolutely. The symbolic language is deliberately composed, evoking antique virtue. Look at the mourning figure being attended to—pouring water from a pitcher was a typical act to refresh and comfort. What this scene really captures is the importance of mutual aid during moments of suffering. Editor: And it’s particularly striking how Wedgwood’s work, although rooted in neoclassical forms, reflects the complex societal narratives swirling around ideas of sentiment and sympathy in the late 18th century. Friendship between women—which we see represented here—offered avenues to emotional fulfillment. Curator: The ceramic medium itself plays an important role. Wedgwood jasperware imitated antique cameos and offered middle class households access to ancient archetypes representing values like benevolence and fortitude. Friendship as portrayed here offers both healing, hope and mutual loyalty. The floral accent also suggests that hope blossoms from support. Editor: Given the context, there's also the implicit message of the duties women owe to one another, particularly in times when their agency was limited within a patriarchal structure. Their friendships functioned almost as a quiet yet persistent resistance, providing spaces for genuine support. Curator: Indeed. "Friendship Consoling Affliction" isn’t just a portrayal of kindness. The archetypes signal enduring bonds of care that have transcended the ages, acting as echoes of the Classical period, renewed within the Georgian era. Editor: Seeing beyond the surface reinforces the fact that this decorative art offers meaningful insight into the roles friendship and solace played at this historical juncture. Curator: It’s a poignant snapshot of the era, reminding us that emotional refuge and strength are best found in one another’s company during periods of suffering. Editor: It really shows how the domestic and personal, often seen as secondary, becomes powerfully and profoundly political when it becomes your whole world.