Summer 1785 - 1799

This porcelain sculpture titled Summer was created by the Ludwigsburg Porcelain Manufactory between 1758 and 1824. The sculpture presents an idealized vision of pastoral life. However, this romantic vision obscures the socio-economic realities of the time. During this period, porcelain was a luxury commodity, and its production relied on both skilled labor and the exploitation of resources. The delicate figures and ornate details reflect the Rococo style, which was favored by the European aristocracy. Yet, the artist’s choice to depict leisure and elegance also inadvertently highlights the stark contrast between the lives of the privileged and the laboring classes. The sculpture serves as a reminder of the complex relationship between art, class, and labor, while still presenting an intriguing emotional depiction of leisure and grace.