The Three Graces distressing Cupid
Figure Group
late 18th century (made)
late 18th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The composition of this figure group was taken from a print. This was common practice with many of the more ambitious British porcelain figure models. Here the print was Etiam Amor Criminibus Plectitur, ('Even Cupid is not alien to crime'). This engraving of 1777 by William Wynne Ryland reproduced a design by the painter Angelica Kauffmann. Ryland's engravings are listed in an inventory of prints owned by the Derby procelain factory in 1791.
With this group the Derby porcelain factory has skilfully adapted a two-dimensional drawing to a three-dimensional figure. The factory later issued a much less successful version. Derby's unglazed porcelain figure groups, such as this one, were advertised in 1773 as being 'particularly suited for the Embellishment of Desserts'.
With this group the Derby porcelain factory has skilfully adapted a two-dimensional drawing to a three-dimensional figure. The factory later issued a much less successful version. Derby's unglazed porcelain figure groups, such as this one, were advertised in 1773 as being 'particularly suited for the Embellishment of Desserts'.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Title | The Three Graces distressing Cupid (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Biscuit soft-paste porcelain, slip-cast |
| Brief description | C |
| Dimensions |
|
| Credit line | Given by Mrs Fabian Colenutt |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | The composition of this figure group was taken from a print. This was common practice with many of the more ambitious British porcelain figure models. Here the print was Etiam Amor Criminibus Plectitur, ('Even Cupid is not alien to crime'). This engraving of 1777 by William Wynne Ryland reproduced a design by the painter Angelica Kauffmann. Ryland's engravings are listed in an inventory of prints owned by the Derby procelain factory in 1791. With this group the Derby porcelain factory has skilfully adapted a two-dimensional drawing to a three-dimensional figure. The factory later issued a much less successful version. Derby's unglazed porcelain figure groups, such as this one, were advertised in 1773 as being 'particularly suited for the Embellishment of Desserts'. |
| Bibliographic reference | Young, Hilary. English Porcelain, 1745-95. London: Victoria and Albert Museum, 1999. 229p., ill. ISBN 1851772820. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | C.768-1936 |
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| Record created | December 2, 2002 |
| Record URL |
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