Chinese man 1745 - 1750

Editor: This intriguing sculpture, "Chinese Man," created by Meissen Manufactory between 1745 and 1750, is crafted from porcelain. It is currently held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I'm fascinated by the gesture - he seems to be reacting to something. How would you interpret this piece, especially considering the materials and production? Curator: The use of porcelain is absolutely key. Meissen, in the 18th century, sought to emulate and then dominate the trade in ceramics from the East. "Chinese Man" isn't just a representation, it’s about the means of production that defined European ambition at the time. Consider the labor involved, the skill in replicating something perceived as exotic and valuable. Does this change your initial feeling? Editor: It does! Thinking about it as a product of ambition rather than pure artistic expression makes it more complex. So, the figure isn't just a portrayal, it's part of a larger commercial narrative. The consumption of "exotic" goods and what that meant in terms of global trade routes… Curator: Precisely. It prompts us to question the power dynamics at play. Meissen wasn't just creating beautiful objects, they were participating in a global market, exploiting knowledge and resources. Consider, who would have owned such an object? How would it have been displayed and viewed? Editor: That frames the work in an entirely different way! It’s easy to appreciate the artistry, but I now recognize that porcelain speaks volumes about material desires and social hierarchies of that period. Curator: Exactly. We move beyond the aesthetics and into the mechanics of production and consumption. By understanding the labor and materials, we can begin to understand how such objects shaped cultural values. Editor: I see how materials and context give it a new level of meaning. Thanks so much. Curator: It’s a pleasure to think through how an object becomes a lens onto complex systems!