Lithophane 1837 - 1840

This lithophane was created by the Koenigliche Porzellan Manufaktur. The almost ghostly image emerges through variations in the thickness of the porcelain. The composition is dominated by the gentle curve of a mother holding a child, set against the linear geometry of a window. The entire work is framed by a rigid, dark border, providing a stark contrast to the milky translucence of the porcelain. The interplay of light and shadow, achieved through the varying depths of the material, transforms a simple scene into a complex visual experience. It pushes against traditional sculpture by using light as a medium, and the frame and stand's geometric structure anchors the ethereal scene within a defined space. This innovative approach disrupts traditional categories, blending sculpture, drawing, and light into a single, unified form. The composition destabilizes our expectations of depth and dimensionality. The lithophane ultimately uses its structure to explore the relationship between form, light, and perception, inviting us to reconsider the boundaries of artistic expression.