Important Azulejos Panel - XVIIIth

Important rectangular Azulejos panel decorated in blue shades of a gallant feast in a wooded park with a motif of putti holding music scores as well as a harpist in its center, a wide border of stylized frame surrounded the composition. Portugal XVIII - Circa 1760. Presented on a wooden frame. Dimensions: 118x230cm History: Our large frieze of "Azulejos" tiles is typically part of Portuguese decoration, it is very widespread in domestic architecture both indoors and in gardens. This technique of earthenware tiles was introduced via Spain by the Moors in the 15th century, then exported to Portugal later at the beginning of the 16th century under the influence of Spanish, Flemish and Italian craftsmen .... A fortiori , there was an interaction between Portugal and the Dutch United Provinces during the 17th century. It is during this period that we see the development of polychrome decoration, reaching its climax at the end of the 17th century and the beginning of the 18th century, the period of "The golden age of Azulejos". The middle of the 18th century saw the adoption of the Rococo style with gallant and pastoral themes inspired by the French tastes of the painter Antoine Watteau, as we can appreciate on the composition of our panel. This is part of the period of reconstruction of the city of Lisbon following the great earthquake of 1755, a more neoclassical style will begin to appear. Bibliography: JM Dos Santos Simes,"Dutch ceramic tiles in Portugal and Spain, DEN HAAG p 195.