L' Indifférent

Art Historical Context

**L'Indifférent a delicate hard-paste porcelain figurine Vienna's Du Paquier period (171–1744), captures the essence of Rococo elegance. Standing just 7¼ inches tall, this 1741–44 work depicts a poised young man, inspired by Antoine Watteau's celebrated painting of the same name. Attributed to modeler Johann Joachim Kändler, with possible engraving by Gérard Jean-Baptistein, it exemplifies the factory's ambition to rival Saxony's Meissen in technical prowess and artistic flair. Produced at the Imperial-Privileged Orientalische Compagne under Claudius Innocentius du Paquier, this piece highlights a pivotal moment in European ceramics. Vienna was among the first outside China and Meissen to master hard-paste porcelain—a translucent, durable material whose formula was a closely guarded secret. The figurine's refined modeling, vibrant enamels, and gilt details showcase Rococo's playful theatricality, transforming Watteau's indifferent dandy into a three-dimensional table ornament for aristocratic homes. Today, housed in The Metropolitan Museum of Art as a gift from Irwin Untermyer (1964), *L'Indifférent* reflects the cultural exchange between French painting and Austrian craftsmanship, embodying 18th-century luxury and innovation. Visitors can't help but admire its whimsical charm—a snapshot of Enlightenment-era refinement.