Diana 1745 - 1800

This is a figure of Diana, made in the Haly workshop around 1718, from porcelain. The crisp, white surface is instantly appealing, but it's important to remember that porcelain at this time was essentially high-tech. Alchemists across Europe were in a fevered race to unlock the secrets of its production, previously known only to China. The translucence and delicacy of porcelain lent itself perfectly to idealized, classical forms. Note the goddess Diana’s flowing garment, the graceful curve of her body, and the alert posture of her canine companion. These qualities are only possible because of the medium’s fineness and the skill of the modelers. Porcelain’s value in the 18th century was immense. A work like this would have been displayed prominently, a testament to the owner’s wealth and sophisticated taste. So, we see how even an apparently timeless image embodies a very particular moment in the history of craft, consumption, and class.