Figure of a couple beneath a tree c. 1765 - 1767

This is a porcelain figure of a couple beneath a tree made by Porseleinfabriek Ludwigsburg. The tree above this couple is laden with symbolism, a silent witness to the drama of human interaction. In antiquity, the tree was the axis mundi, connecting the earthly and divine realms, a place of knowledge, protection and fertility. Here, beneath its branches, a couple meets, their eyes locked in a silent exchange. This motif of lovers in a garden, or beneath a tree, is found throughout art history, echoing in medieval tapestries and Renaissance paintings, from sacred groves to secular trysts. It embodies a primal yearning for connection and refuge, a space where emotions can unfold. But consider the serpent coiled around the tree in the Garden of Eden, a symbol of temptation and the fall from grace. Do these lovers stand on the precipice of innocence or knowledge? The emotional tension is palpable, engaging us on a subconscious level, reminding us of our own desires and vulnerabilities. The image of lovers under a tree reappears, evolves, and takes on new meanings. It's a powerful symbol that continues to resonate.