Figure of a winged man who is teaching about love c. 1755 - 1759

This group of figures, crafted in porcelain by the Frankenthal manufactory, presents a scene of courtship and instruction. The central figure holds a musical score titled "Maitresse de la cour," or Mistress of the Court, suggesting a lesson in courtly love. Note the candle, an emblem of the burning passion and ephemeral nature of love. We see this mirrored through time, from ancient Roman frescoes with torches symbolizing desire, to Renaissance paintings where candles signify divine illumination or human intellect. Here, the extinguished candle might symbolize the fading nature of love or perhaps its potential dangers. This motif transcends mere visual representation, resonating with our collective memory of love's complexities. The fragility of porcelain itself mirrors the delicate balance between desire and despair, engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level with love's emotional resonance.