Shepherdess 1760 - 1770

This porcelain Shepherdess was created around 1765-1769 by the Chelsea Porcelain Manufactory. Notice the overall effect of the figure; the smooth, bright glaze and pastel colors create a sense of idealized pastoral life. The shepherdess, adorned with flowers, stands gracefully amidst her flock. Looking closer, we see how the artist employed a visual language to convey the cultural values of the time. The figure's elaborate clothing, with its intricate patterns and gilded edges, speaks to the opulence and refinement of the court. Her pose, with a lamb nestled in her arms, symbolizes innocence and tranquility. The figure's base, ornamented with sculptural scrolls and more flowers, further enhances the sense of luxury and artificiality. This element underscores how decorative art of this period functions as a signifier of social status and cultural ideals, and as a representation that is far removed from the realities of rural existence.