Girl in an Apron (La Fille au Tablier) 1748 - 1759

This is an 8 1/2 inch porcelain figure titled Girl in an Apron (La Fille au Tablier), made by the Vincennes Manufactory between 1740 and 1756. During this period, porcelain was more than just decorative—it was a symbol of status and refinement. The figure depicts a young girl in what appears to be humble attire, holding a cloth filled with flowers. While seemingly benign, the figure is a carefully constructed representation of innocence and labor. We see the working class romanticized, the details of her clothing and the burden she carries softened. This idealized portrayal masks the harsh realities of labor, subtly reinforcing the social hierarchies of the time. The delicate porcelain belies the hard work of the artisans who created it, and the figure itself obscures the realities of the working class. It invites us to consider whose stories are told and whose are left out, reflecting on how beauty can sometimes serve to conceal deeper truths.