Page 31 - cn - fg- The Assembly of Time - Studio Brochure - flickbook e- presentation_Neat

Within the mirror’s reflecting space, the painting by Sir Joshua Reynolds of Mrs Ablington
{a leading actress of her day} creates an inner focal point. In addition, the natural light deliv-
ered through the window becomes a visual linkage between the interior and outer visual
space of the mirror. A further relationship coexisting between actual object and reflected
counterpart can be experienced with the Serves porcelain and the 1749 French Ormolu clock.
The clock was created through the collaboration between two famous artisans Julien Leroy,
{clockmaker to Louis XV} and Jaques Caffieri {bronze maker and his wife, who was a gil-
der} which enabled them to achieve the complete gilt-bronze creation.
The female figure at the top of the clock represents Dawn, positioned above a celestial globe.
She points her finger at the hours, whilst the clock face indicates the minutes past. At the
base of the clock is seated the female figure of Venus with Cupid at her side. The composi-
tion explores the transience of time signified by the clock and the solidity of matter, object
and apparent object seen as light. The Reynolds portrait further emphasises the passing of
time, as for sitter and artist the painting is a captured moment not to be repeated.

139401 The Grey Room – Mirror Composition
481/8 x 321/8 inches -o/c

Waddesdon Manor Buckinghamshire.