Covered cup and saucer 1797 - 1803

This covered cup and saucer, made by Anton Kothgasser, reflects the cultural and artistic milieu of early 19th-century Vienna. Kothgasser, working in the shadow of the Habsburg Empire, painted delicate neoclassical scenes onto glass and porcelain, catering to the tastes of the Viennese elite. The cup and saucer are adorned with scenes that evoke classical mythology and idealized landscapes. A man kneels before an alter, begging for salvation, while a woman offers a basket filled with flowers, as an angel oversees the whole scene. The imagery suggests themes of devotion and perhaps redemption, reflecting the conservative yet spiritual values of the time. The choice of porcelain as a medium speaks to the era's fascination with luxury and refinement, but it also subtly hints at the power dynamics of a society where such exquisite objects were accessible only to a privileged few. Kothgasser's covered cup and saucer encapsulates the intersection of artistry, social status, and cultural ideals in early 19th-century Vienna.