NAVIGATION

Engravings were often used for the inspiration for these carvings, but they were always recreated in the round and show no sign of their two-dimensional origins. The concept of the ‘Wahre Arme’ or true poor in 18th century Germany was particularly associated with the ‘picturesque’. The holes and raggedness of the clothes do not take away from the romanticised rococo style. The great Kaendler and Eberlein at Meissen modelled various porcelain figures of peasants and beggars in a similar style in the mid 18th century, and these were extremely popular with their wealthy patrons.