Girl with a Mandolin c. 1765

Curator: The Harvard Art Museums hold this charming piece: "Girl with a Mandolin", made by the Ludwigsburg Porcelain Manufactory. The artist lived from 1758 to 1824. Editor: There's something haunting and fragile about this little figure. It looks like she’s about to play, but she might also crumble if you breathed on her too hard. Curator: Porcelain figurines like this were incredibly popular in the 18th century. They were स्टेटस symbols, reflecting wealth and artistic patronage, often displayed in grand homes. Editor: The detail is remarkable, isn't it? The floral patterns on her dress, the slight tilt of her head… I wonder what tune she's carrying in her head? Curator: These figurines, despite their decorative purpose, tell us about the rococo aesthetic and social values of the time, a delicate balance between ornamentation and symbolism. Editor: I guess I still find it quite moving, seeing her frozen there in time. Makes you think about impermanence, doesn't it?