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The Doctor

ca. 1775

German, 18th century

This figure represents a character from Commedia dell'arte, the farcical Italian theatre. The character of the Doctor hailed from Bologna, home to one of the oldest and most celebrated universities in Europe. The Doctor's role is primarily a satire on learned men; he is constantly misquoting Greek and Latin phrases. As Pantaloon's friend, but also his rival as head of the other household, the pompous Doctor always spies on his young wife and daughter and falls into traps set by the clever servants. Seattle's Doctor is dressed in a black academic robe and hat.

Hard paste porcelain

5 x 4 in. (12.7 x 10.16 cm)

Gift of Martha and Henry Isaacson

76.103

Provenance: Collection of Mr and Mrs Henry and Martha Isaacson, unknown purchase date until 1976; gift from Mr and Mrs Henry and Martha Isaacson to Seattle Art Museum, Washington, 1976

Now on view at the Seattle Art Museum

Resources

Exhibition HistorySeattle, Washington, Seattle Art Museum, "Porcelain Stories: From China to Europe", February 17, 2000-May 7, 2000 (2/17/2000 - 5/7/2000)

Published ReferencesEmerson, Julie, Jennifer Chen, & Mimi Gardner Gates, "Porcelain Stories, From China to Europe", Seattle Art Museum, 2000, pg. 228

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