Beaker 1788

This is a glass beaker made by Johann Joseph Mildner, sometime in the late 18th to early 19th century. The vessel is striking for its interplay between transparency and opacity, flatness and depth. The clear glass is structured with ridges at the base and rim, while delicate floral patterns are engraved near the top. What draws the eye, however, is the painted medallion, set against a backdrop of deep crimson and gold. The figures, rendered in meticulous detail, are reminiscent of a classical frieze. The artist plays with scale, compressing a panoramic landscape into a small, circular format. We can see two gentlemen, one gesturing towards a distant estate. A dog and tree populate the scene, adding a sense of depth within the shallow space. The rigid structure of the beaker contrasts with the whimsical scene. Yet, this contrast is not arbitrary, but a deliberate construction that encourages the viewer to reflect on the relationship between form and function, surface and depth. The beaker is more than just a drinking vessel; it is a tableau of societal values and the visual conventions of its time.