En montant med figurlig og ornamental dekoration 1717 - 1776

This is an ornamental design by Jacques François Joseph Saly, rendered in sanguine chalk. We see an elaborate elevation, symmetrically arranged with classical motifs. Saly presents a wealth of symbolic forms. Note the verticality established by flanking columns, crowned with busts, drawing the eye upwards. The composition is segmented into horizontal registers. The bottom register shows a mask of a river god. Above it is a fantastic pairing of sphinxes that support a vase. The drawing's structure might evoke a sense of hierarchical order. However, the artist’s graphic style, with delicate, interwoven lines, creates a visual tension. It destabilizes the rigidity of the architectural framework. The linear quality invites a reading of the image as a semiotic field, where each component contributes to a larger decorative narrative. Consider, finally, how Saly’s artistic approach transforms conventional symbols into a dynamic interplay of form and meaning, challenging our perception of decorative art.