Here we have a porcelain sculpture of a reclining woman on a rock, crafted by Königliche Porzellan Manufaktur, though its exact date remains a mystery. What strikes me is the pristine whiteness of the piece, a blank canvas for the play of light and shadow. Porcelain has a unique texture, cool and smooth, almost like skin. The folds of her draped fabric and the rough texture of the rock are rendered with such care, but it's all white! Look at how the light catches the curves of her body. It reminds me of the way that the artist Louise Bourgeois would work in a similarly restricted colour palette. Notice how the woman’s relaxed posture, a universal symbol of leisure and beauty, contrasts with the intense labor that went into shaping the porcelain. Isn't it funny how art can hold so many conflicting ideas at once?