Allegorical Figure Group: The Arts
18th century
Medium
Porcelain with polychrome decoration
Dimensions
50.8 × 33.8 × 30.5 cm (20 × 13 3/8 × 12 in.)
Classification
sculpture
Department
Applied Arts of Europe
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
94629
Art Historical Context
Created in 18th-century Spain at the Buen Retiro Porcelain Factory, this elegant sculptural group personifies the arts through graceful figures arranged in harmonious composition. Standing about 20 inches tall, the work showcases the factory’s mastery of porcelain—a material prized for its translucency and strength—enhanced by vibrant polychrome decoration that brings each allegorical character to life with delicate color and detail. As a product of a royal manufactory, the piece reflects the Enlightenment-era celebration of creativity and learning. Porcelain groups like this were often commi...