Peacock (one of a pair) 1741

These porcelain peacocks, crafted by the Meissen Manufactory, present a striking display of form and structure. The fan of the peacock's tail feathers dominates the visual field, composed of radiating lines each terminating in an oculus. This creates an almost architectural symmetry, evoking both natural beauty and formalized design. The figure plays with the binary opposition, signifier and signified: the semiotic analysis reveals a complex interplay between reality and representation. The detailed rendering of the feathers invites a close reading of their materiality, while the peacock itself becomes a signifier of luxury. This speaks to the cultural codes of the 18th century, where exotic animals were collected, not for scientific study but rather as demonstrations of wealth. Note the calculated distribution of light and shadow across the ceramic surface. It accentuates the three-dimensional depth of the sculpture, turning mere porcelain into a testament to human artifice and the endless reinterpretation of nature through culture.