A Philosopher, possibly Heraclitus: C.73-1950

Current Location: Gallery 26 (Lower Marlay)

Titles

A Philosopher, possibly Heraclitus

Maker(s)

Factory: Capodimonte Porcelain Factory

Entities

Figure

Description

Soft-paste porcelain painted in enamels and gilt

Creamy-white soft-paste porcelain, press-moulded, and painted overglaze in pale green, pale yellow, flesh pink, pale red, dark mauve, grey, brown, and a spot of black enamel, and gilt. The underside of the base is unglazed, except for a few dribbles, particularly in viewer’s back left corner, and has a square ventilation hole near the back. The rectangular base is bowed at the front and has moulded sides outlined in gold, and a stylized foliage motif at centre front. The philosopher stands on his right foot with his left foot on the upper book of two resting on top of the base. He has pale greyish-brown hair and beard, ruddy cheeks and pale red lips. The upper part of his torso is bare, and he has a dark mauve drape around his body over green trousers, dark mauve sandals, and a larger yellow cloak over his head, which falls down to the ground at the back, and is held up to his face by his right hand, as if wiping his eye with it. Over his left forearm he has a partly unrolled scroll.

Notes

History note: Unknown before Mrs W. D. (Frances Louisa) Dickson

Legal notes

Given by Mrs W.D. Dickson

Measurements and weight

Height: 24.1 cm
Width: 10 cm

Place(s) associated

Capodimonte ⪼ Kingdom of the Two Sicilies ⪼ Italy

Acquisition and important dates

Method of acquisition: Given (1950-09) by Dickson, W. D. (Frances Louisa), Mrs

Dating

18th Century, third quarter
Circa 1755 CE - 1759 CE

Note

Accessioned as Buen Retiro, but later reattributed to Capodimonte. The colouring is very close to the Dancing Couple by Giuseppe Gricci C.44-1950.

School or Style

Rococo

People, subjects and objects depicted

Components of the work

Decoration composed of enamel ( pale green, pale yellow, flesh pink, pale red, dark mauve, grey, brown, and a spot of black) gold
Visible Areas composed of glaze ( presumed lead-glaze)
Base Depth 7.5 cm Width 9.3 cm

Materials used in production

Soft-paste porcelain

Techniques used in production

Press-moulding : Soft-paste porcelain, press-moulded in parts, glazed, painted in pale green, pale yellow, flesh pink, pale red, dark mauve, grey, brown, and a spot of black enamel, and gilt