Marital concord (one of a pair) 1761 - 1771

Curator: Let’s delve into this porcelain sculpture, "Marital concord," created between 1761 and 1771 by the Frankenthal Porcelain Manufactory. Editor: It's such a charming scene. I’m struck by the delicate details, especially the floral pattern on the woman's dress. What do you see in this piece beyond the surface-level depiction of marital bliss? Curator: I see a carefully constructed image meant to project a very specific idea of marriage in the 18th century, one rooted in societal expectations and gender roles. It’s "marital concord," not marital equality, right? Notice how their interaction seems staged, almost performative. Where does the power lie within this ‘concord,’ and for whom is this harmony crafted? Editor: I never thought of it that way, so it wasn’t necessarily a reflection of reality, but more of a manufactured ideal? Curator: Precisely! Think about the rise of porcelain manufactories during this period. Who were the consumers? What values were they meant to reflect and reinforce? How does the object itself—delicate, precious, easily breakable—mirror the supposed fragility of the domestic sphere and the woman’s role within it? Are there any ways this piece could reflect societal hierarchies? Editor: Thinking about it, it really reinforces certain expectations. I guess I hadn't questioned that before. Curator: It's crucial to dissect these visual narratives, especially when they appear harmless. By interrogating the power dynamics embedded in seemingly innocuous artworks, we can better understand the complexities of the past and their reverberations in the present. Editor: This has definitely shifted my perspective. Thanks for pointing out the subtext that I had totally missed at first glance!