Girl with cheese

Art Historical Context

Created around 1755 at the renowned Capodimonte Porcelain Manufactory in Naples, *Girl with Cheese* exemplifies the playful decorative figures that defined Italian porcelain production during the mid-eighteenth century. Modeled by Giuseppe Gricci, a leading sculptor at the factory, this small soft-paste porcelain figure captures a charming everyday moment with delicate detail and gentle expression. Standing just under seven inches tall, it reflects the period’s taste for intimate, lighthearted subjects drawn from daily life. Capodimonte, established in 1743 under King Charles III, specialized in soft-paste porcelain prized for its creamy texture and ability to render fine modeling and subtle coloring. Such figurines were popular among European collectors, often displayed in cabinets or on dining tables to add whimsy and elegance to interiors. The choice of subject—a young girl with cheese—highlights the manufactory’s skill in transforming ordinary scenes into refined works of art. Today housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s European Sculpture and Decorative Arts collection, this piece offers visitors a glimpse into the vibrant artistic culture of Bourbon Naples and the technical artistry of Italian porcelain makers.

About the Artist

Giuseppe Gricci|Capodimonte Porcelain Manufactory (Italian|Italian) · 1695 |1740 –1775 |1759

Italian, ca. 1700–1770|Italian, 1740/43–1759