The Handkiss
Original title: The Handkiss
kurzbeschreibung
Made at the Meissen porcelain manufactory in 1737, the hard-paste figure "Der Handkuss" stages a courtly scene with several figures. It stands 15.2 cm high and combines sculptural delicacy with lively painting.
Description
The eye is drawn first to the seated woman wearing a crown and a flower-patterned gown, a doll held in her arm. A man in traditional dress kneels beside her and presses his lips to her wrist. Behind the pair, another man waits with a tray and a drink, while a small dog lies between the seated woman and the kneeling man. Strong contrasts between dark and light passages, together with gilded accents, give the image a sumptuous character.
Context
As the first European porcelain manufactory, Meissen had produced hard-paste porcelain since 1710. The figure of 1737 belongs to a period when gallant and courtly subjects were in demand in porcelain art. Such works often adorned princely collections and reflect the court culture of the Rococo.
Impact
The detailed execution and vivid colouring hold the viewer's attention at once. Anyone who looks more closely at the grouping of figures discovers the fine tuning of the gestures and gains a sense of elegance and courtly etiquette.
Technique
Hard-paste porcelain gives the figure a smooth surface and a precise form. The painting was done in underglaze and overglaze colours; golden accents provide a noble sheen.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)