Bacchus 1745 - 1755

This is a porcelain sculpture of Bacchus, made by the Meissen Manufactory in the early 18th century. Bacchus, the Roman god of wine, fertility, and theatre, is here represented as a child adorned with grapes and vines. Made in Germany, the sculpture reflects the cultural fascination with classical antiquity during the Baroque era. The Meissen factory, established in 1710, was the first European producer of true porcelain, a material previously imported from China at great expense. Luxury goods like this figurine were initially produced under the patronage of royalty and the aristocracy, and displayed in palaces. The figure of Bacchus is an expression of worldly pleasure and luxury, designed for a wealthy elite. Careful research into the Meissen factory archives and the social history of early 18th century Europe can reveal how the tastes and the politics of luxury shaped the production of such works of art.