Design for a Folding Screen 1686 - 1761

This 18th-century design for a folding screen by Jacques de Lajoüe, created between 1686 and 1761, exemplifies the Rococo style. The intricate and asymmetrical arrangement of swirling foliage and shell-like forms around a central blank space creates a sense of movement and exuberance. The top panel features a pastoral scene of figures seated amidst trees, further adding to the decorative nature of the design. While Lajoüe was known for his work in tapestry design and painting, his drawings for decorative arts, like this one, demonstrate his mastery of the Rococo aesthetic.