Cup and saucer c. 1800 - 1808

This cup and saucer was crafted by an anonymous artist, and is now held in the Minneapolis Institute of Art. Notice the striking contrast in this piece, built from a vertical cup and a flat saucer that plays with our sense of space and balance. The deep pink glaze that coats both objects is outlined with delicate gold trim, which adds a touch of opulence and frames the central image of a classical figure. The choice of color is not accidental. The vivid pink clashes with the classical scene, which prompts a dialogue between tradition and modernity. It challenges conventional ideas of beauty and harmony by juxtaposing an idealized form with an artificial color. The cup and saucer do more than serve a function; they engage in a cultural conversation that explores shifting values and artistic expression.