Flora with children 1773 - 1790

This is an 8-inch porcelain sculpture titled "Flora with Children" by Este. Imagine the artist, Este, working with the rigid medium of porcelain to evoke the soft, sensual forms of the human body, particularly that of a woman. Flora, the Roman goddess of springtime and flowers, is portrayed here, not as a powerful deity, but as an object of visual pleasure. Notice how she is partially nude, her body idealized, and her gaze averted, embodying classical ideals of beauty and femininity. The presence of children adds a layer of sentimentality, softening Flora's sensuality with connotations of motherhood and innocence. The sculpture provides a glimpse into how societal expectations of women were crafted and circulated through art. Consider how this sculpture, while seemingly innocuous, reinforces specific gender roles, and how, even today, these historical representations continue to shape our understanding of beauty and womanhood.