Hanswurst and Columbine 1743

This roughly 6-inch porcelain sculpture was crafted by the Meissen Manufactory, a German porcelain producer that was founded in 1710. In this sculpture, we see Hanswurst and Columbine, stock characters that play out the dynamics of gender roles in the popular form of comedic theatre known as the commedia dell’arte. Columbine, a flirtatious and intelligent character, teases Hanswurst, a buffoonish, sausage-loving figure. This porcelain figurine captures a moment of playful interaction, reflecting the gender dynamics and social hierarchies of its time. These characters, while fictional, embodied certain social expectations and stereotypes, influencing how individuals perceived themselves and others. The dynamic between Hanswurst and Columbine offers insights into the ways in which identity, gender, and class were negotiated and performed within the cultural landscape of the 18th century.