America c. 1745

Johann Joachim Kändler created this porcelain sculpture called “America,” sometime in the mid-18th century. Kändler worked at the Meissen porcelain factory in Germany, where he designed incredibly detailed figures. In this sculpture, we see a European vision of America. Look closely. What details stand out? The figure is riding an alligator, wears a feathered headdress, and holds a cornucopia overflowing with fruit. These are all symbols Europeans associated with the Americas. But consider what's missing: any real representation of Indigenous peoples, or any recognition of the complex societies that existed here before colonization. This sculpture speaks volumes about the European worldview at the time. It’s a reminder that art doesn't exist in a vacuum. By researching the history of colonialism, the European fascination with the “exotic,” and the role of porcelain in court culture, we can better understand the social and political context that shaped this object. We can expose the power dynamics embedded in these images and the impact they had on shaping perceptions of America.