Harlequina 1755 - 1765

Crafted by the Nymphenburg Porcelain Manufactory, this *Harlequina* figurine presents a striking exploration of form through the playful medium of porcelain. The eye is immediately drawn to the vibrant, geometric pattern that adorns her dress: alternating triangles of orange, white, and blue/black create a dynamic interplay across the sculpture's surface. Consider how this abstract design contrasts with the delicate realism of her face and hands. The dress, with its bold, hard-edged shapes, disrupts any sense of conventional representation, pushing the boundaries of decorative art. This tension between surface pattern and underlying form destabilizes traditional expectations of porcelain figurines. Moreover, the sculpture challenges fixed notions of identity and representation. Harlequina’s costume, with its tessellated design, can be interpreted through the lens of semiotics, where each triangle functions as a signifier. Note how the sculptor created the surface to create an experience that defies singular interpretation, inviting us to question the very nature of representation.