Cup 1715 - 1732

This porcelain cup was made by the Meissen Manufactory. Note how the form divides into two distinct visual registers. The lower section features a series of vertical bands in warm gold tones, punctuated by thin white lines. This rigid, almost architectural, structure provides a stable base, contrasting with the cup's upper portion. Here, we see delicate scenes painted in lilac monochrome, depicting classical figures amidst pastoral landscapes. These scenes create an ethereal, dreamlike quality. The cup's design invites us to consider the interplay between form and surface, structure and narrative. The rigorous geometry of the lower bands anchors the cup, while the fanciful scenes above evoke a sense of lightness and movement. The juxtaposition creates a dynamic tension, drawing our eye around the cup and encouraging us to contemplate the relationship between utility and decoration, order and imagination.