Design for a Frontispiece with an Allegory of Brazil 1686 - 1735

This 18th-century drawing by Ottmar Elliger the Younger is a design for a frontispiece, a decorative page at the beginning of a book. It features an allegorical representation of Brazil, with a central empty space intended for text. The design includes figures representing the Portuguese monarchy, classical figures such as Neptune and a putti, and Native American figures, emphasizing Brazil's colonial history and diverse peoples. This detailed composition is an example of the Rococo style, characterized by its whimsical, ornamental forms.