Medallion with Cupid Singing c. late 18th century

Curator: What a charming little thing! There's such a crispness to it, and such striking cobalt blue. Editor: This is a medallion created by Wedgwood Manufactory, likely in the late 18th century. It's currently housed here at the Art Institute of Chicago. The main body is ceramic, and it seems to depict a cupid figure singing. Curator: Singing yes, and beneath a stylized tree no less. That small vignette contains so much— childhood innocence, the burgeoning of art, perhaps even an allegorical echo of paradise lost. That color combination, too—that Wedgwood blue against the stark white— speaks to an established visual language. Purity against earthly delight! Editor: I'm really interested in the contrast between the delicate jasperware and what looks to be a somewhat later metal casing, likely silver and paste stones. That addition shifts it into a distinctly precious object, wearable art that signals both wealth and refined taste. Think about the labor, too: the precise molding, the firing process... these were pieces destined for an elite market. Curator: And the cupid, of course, as Eros, reminding us of eternal connections. That classical nod roots this decorative object in a longer story of beauty and desire. Editor: The Neoclassical movement adored taking those 'antique' aesthetics and remaking them in contemporary wares for consumption and show. Wedgwood was at the forefront, streamlining industrial methods for reproducing luxury for a growing audience. It’s amazing that even through the precision of its manufacture, such a tender narrative unfolds. Curator: True, though I remain entranced by what cupid promises - something timeless through imagery. It leaves one pondering, even today. Editor: I find myself admiring Wedgwood’s industrial efficiency without compromising detail, all framed by such careful craft. A marriage of means and message in one delicate piece.