Gardener (one of a pair) 1760 - 1775

This porcelain figure of a gardener, created in Crépy-en-Valois, carries with it the scent of the earth and the echoes of ancient pastoral ideals. The gardener, with her basket brimming with nature's bounty, is more than a mere representation of labor. Her image stirs the deeply rooted human connection to nature. We find similar figures in Roman frescos of Pomona, the goddess of fruitful abundance, and even earlier in the Minoan depictions of harvest goddesses. Consider how the gesture of her open hand, an offering or an invitation, resonates across centuries. It is the same gesture we see in depictions of Ceres, the bringer of agriculture, inviting humanity to partake in the gifts of the earth. This motif has evolved. Through cultural memory, it reflects our enduring need to connect with the natural world and ensure its bounty. It is a connection that touches our deepest, subconscious desires for nourishment and security.