Allegory of Painting, 20 th century Meissen Porcelain Group

Meissen porcelain allegorical figure "Painting" (Die Malerei) of a laurel-crowned woman, personifying painting, stands on a round base decorated with naturalistic scenes. Dressed in an old-fashioned costume, she holds a palette in her left hand and a brush in her right. Beside her, a child sits on a column, holding a mask. Polychrome painting with gold highlights. Designed by Johann Christian Hirt, circa 1882-1885. Marked with blue crossed swords and numbered N 160. Listed in the Meissen-Bergmann catalog. Height: 32 cm.
Hirt, a sculptor, studied at the Munich Academy. He became famous for his figures inspired by literature and mythology. Meissen acquired a total of 50 models between 1881 and 1888.