Child with Grapes 1765 - 1785

This porcelain sculpture, "Child with Grapes," was crafted by the Real Fabrica de Buen Retiro. Here, a plump child clutches grapes, symbols of plenty and transformation. The grape motif carries echoes of Dionysus, the god of wine, ecstasy, and fertility, whose festivals involved ecstatic rituals of transformation. The bacchantes, female followers of Dionysus, are often depicted crowned with grape vines and leaves in a state of ecstatic frenzy. We see this motif resurface in Christian art, where grapes signify the blood of Christ and spiritual nourishment. This symbol evolves, finding new life and meaning across different eras. Consider the complex emotions evoked by this seemingly simple scene. Through the ages, the symbol of the grape has served as a powerful force, engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level. A potent reminder of life, death, and rebirth that persists to this day.