From the 16th century until well into the 18th century, the commedia dell'arte, a popular Italian type of improvised comic theatricals, cast its spell on a large and diverse audience. Here an exuberant joy of living was reflected in a portrayal of all aspects of life exaggerated with pomposity and humour. No medium was better suited than precious porcelain to immortalise the vivacious performance of the comedians on the stage, let alone surpass their exaltation: No other subject produced a similar symbiotic relationship between the downright expressionist sculptures executed by the porcelain modellers and their heightening with brilliant colours by the porcelain painters in their astounding depiction of the costumes. Still today, these luxurious creatures enthral the observer with the splendour of the Baroque, with that particular joie de vivre of a grand poque. Delighted, we enter a bygone world where to enjoy life was the highest good.


This publication is the first comprehensive survey of the commedia dellarte as a subject of the ceramic arts. Almost 400 objects from more than 45 European manufactories cover the period from the 18th to the 20th century.