Pug with cub, Johann Joachim Kaendler (modeller), Meissen, circa 1741. Porcelain, paint: enamel colors. H. 17.9 cm, W. 18.6 cm, D. 11.8 cm. PE 3894. Porcelain Collection. © Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden 2013
Pug, Johann Joachim Kaendler (modeller), Meissen, circa 1741. Porcelain, paint: enamel colors. H. 17.3 cm, W. 19.2 cm, D. 11.1 cm. PE 3895. Porcelain Collection. © Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden 2013
Conceived as the counterpart sitting pugs with ringed tails that turn heads and look at each other from their large eyes forward at the viewer. The right copy is identified by the boy under his belly as a mother. Kaendler that has modeled the animals after life, proving its exact observation and reproduction of details. So the young pug still has his floppy ears that are cropped after the first weeks of life. The fine dashed Staffierung the fur and dark brown eyes give the dogs a very vivid expression."A sitting Mopß dog in life size" (Pietsch, 2002, p.86) is called by Kaendler in his work report in June 1741 which he in November and December of the same year, still "a mediocre Mopß dog as Compagnon" added (Pietsch 2002 p.87) According Kaendler entry in its list of the celebration evening work (taxa), he created both midsize models as pendants probably in August 1741 for King Augustus III. itself (Rafael, 2009, No. 95, 96). First the Möpsin originated with the boy whose ears are not cropped, with the model number 315, and then its counterpart with the number 315x. The pug was a symbol of the Freemasons animal whose Dresden lodge was in this year of Count Rutowski, the illegitimate son of Augustus the Strong and his mistress Fatima Turkish founded. The appointment of such figures by a Catholic king speaks for its membership and libertinism, as the same Pope Clement XII. Rome was going against the Freemasons. (Catalogue "The Triumph of the Blue Swords" 2010 Cat 327, Alfred digit)