Meissen Porcelain Animals: Getty Conversations

Imagine a menagerie of over 500 life-sized porcelain animals displayed in a long gallery in a palace in Dresden. A Fox with a Chicken was a part of this new creation commissioned by Augustus II "The Strong" in the 18th century to share his love for Japanese porcelain with others.
Getty has joined forces with Smarthistory to bring you an in-depth look at select works within our collection, whether you’re looking to learn more at home or want to make art more accessible in your classroom. This video series illuminates art history concepts through fun, unscripted conversations between art historians, curators, archaeologists, and artists, committed to a fresh take on the history of visual arts.
A conversation with Jeffrey Weaver, Associate Curator of Sculpture and Decorative Arts, J. Paul Getty Museum and Steven Zucker, Executive Director, Smarthistory in front of A Fox with a Chicken, c. 1732, Johann Gottlieb Kirchner, Meissen Porcelain Manufactory. Hard-paste porcelain with traces of oil paint, 46 x 34 x 20 cm. (J. Paul Getty Museum) and A Turkey, c. 1733, Johann Joachim Kändler, Meissen Porcelain Manufactory. Hard-paste porcelain, 53.5 x 51 x 20 cm. (J. Paul Getty Museum)
View the Getty Conversations series: • Getty Conversations
Learn more about "A Fox with a Chicken" in Getty's collection online: www.getty.edu/...
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[@Robin-yf6yl]

The fact that you don’t add ads and keep it open to all is extremely commendable

[@smarthistory-art-history]

Thank you for noticing, and for saying so.

[@sherryzimmerman9220]

The Best Art History Class we wish we all had taken with these these educators and their understated style…..

[@Theodisc]

A "snood", aye? This is a new English word to add to my lexicon. The snoody turkey 🦃😋

[@smarthistory-art-history]

ha! Its a great word.

[@christianfrommuslim]

The story of porcelain is one of the most fascinating slices of human history. It includes all the great elements of a drama: international intrigue, greed, power struggles, state secrets, trade wars, science, experimentation, technological leaps, white slavery, spying, and of course the pursuit of beauty. For more, you might like reading "The Arcanum," which focuses on Augustus the Strong's nearly manic pursuit of porcelain.

[@christianfrommuslim]

A surprisingly good collection of Meissen, including the swan set, is in the Crocker Museum in Sacramento, CA.

[@Sasha0927]

Everyone has their thing, but... that collection sounds excessive to me. 😅 It's amazing how something that esteems you in one era can make your look silly (or even pathological) in another. They're beautiful sculptures, though. And just like that, yet another playlist bites the dust. 😌 Looking forward to hearing more about art in the Americas.

[@hao_horizon_8429]

a few weeks ago I saw the porcelain animal collection in dresden for the first time and was fascinated them, especially the rhinoceros which is so clearly made after the dürer sketch and the almost cartoony expressions of the lions thank you for sharing your thoughts about the two highlighted pieces :)

[@smarthistory-art-history]

What fun!

[@kentwang44]

"Dresden porcelain (or "china") was once the usual term for Meissen porcelain, until in 1975 the Oberlandesgericht (Higher Munich State Court) decided in favour of the Saxon Porcelain Manufactory Dresden, which alone was then allowed to use the name Dresden Porcelain (it ceased producing in 2020).[1] Meissen remained the dominant European porcelain factory, and the leader of stylistic innovation, until somewhat overtaken by the new styles introduced by the French Sèvres factory in the 1760s, but has remained a leading factory to the present day. "-Wikipedia

[@men_del12]

Was there a reason why the color fading now? I wonder how'd Augustus II felt about this since they may try to preserve a long lasting color like china's porcelain.

[@smarthistory-art-history]

If I remember correctly, the color was painted on after firing since an additional firing to vitrify the glaze was too difficult with objects made of porcelain of this size and weight. As a result the color flaked off and was then more completely removed at some point.

[@JumpdeArt]

Haha awesome vid and great editing!

[@elasticyeti]

Hella cool beans

[@DirtyBottomsPottery]

Thank you.