From 12 March to 13 June, as part of the tricentennial celebrations for Meissen’s Porcelain Manufactory, Leipzig’s Grassi Museum of Applied Art is putting one its finest treasures on display: the Schulz Codex, a collection of 124 pattern sample books with more than 1,000 individual sketches of Chinoiserie. They originate from the prominent Meissen porcelain painter Johann Gregorius Höroldt (1696 – 1775) and other painters in his workshop.
The exhibition – entitled Exotic Worlds.
The Schulz-Codex and early Meissen porcelain – will put all these drawings on display together for the very first time.
They have previously been kept in storage for reasons of conservation. When the Meissen Manufactory was still in its infancy, these sketches served as templates for the porcelain painters who worked there, and today rank as some of the most valuable items held by the museum. All the major porcelain collections around the world continually make reference to the Schulz Codex as the quintessential book of patterns.
The exhibition is joined by examples of rare porcelain from the early days of Meissen production, which were painted according to these sketches. Other items on show illustrate the Chinoiserie trend that influenced the world of arts and crafts during the 18th century.
Tribute is also paid to the special role played by Leipzig and its trade fair in the spread of Meissen porcelain in the early 18th century.
The museum is open from Tuesdays to Sundays and on public holidays from 10am to 6pm. Admission costs €6.00; concessions €3.00, free for children up to the age of 16.
GRASSI Museum für Angewandte Kunst
Johannisplatz 5-11, 04103 Leipzig
www.grassimuseum.de
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More information: Porcelain in Germany
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