A Body for Stubbs | Paul Mellon Centre and online

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The Paul Mellon Centre presents a research seminar titled "A Body for Stubbs" by Iris Moon, Associate Curator at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Moon's talk delves into the intriguing relationship between painter George Stubbs and potter Josiah Wedgwood, exploring their collaborative work on the painting "Reapers" (1795). While primarily known for his horse pictures, Stubbs ventured into more experimental territory with unconventional surfaces, including Wedgwood's oval ceramic tablets. These unique pieces presented a challenge to Stubbs due to their size and the need for kiln firing. Moon's discussion raises questions about traditional interpretations of Wedgwood, Stubbs, and the art of the eighteenth century, challenging the notion of this period as a defining moment in Britain's ascent as a global power. Capitalism, empire, and exploitation take center stage in this revisionist narrative, alongside often overlooked figures like babies, women, animals, and ceramics. Through a contemporary lens, Stubbs and Wedgwood acquire renewed significance within the context of late capitalist modernity. Iris Moon is an Associate Curator at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and oversees European ceramics and glass. She recently contributed to the reinstallation of the British Galleries and is currently working on an upcoming exhibition on chinoiserie, women, and the porcelain imaginary, set to open in 2025. Her publication "Melancholy Wedgwood," supported by the Paul Mellon Centre, offers fresh insights into this subject matter. In addition to her curatorial endeavors, Moon also teaches at Cooper Union. Image credit goes to George Stubbs for "Reapers" (1795), enamel on Wedgwood biscuit earthenware, housed at the Yale Center for British Art.