Furniture: Painting Screen on Maroufle Paper Jacques De LaJoüe (1687-1761)

The artwork presents a vertical landscape framed by elaborate ornamentation. The central focus is a cascading waterfall that dominates the lower portion of the composition. Water rushes down a tiered structure, suggesting both power and controlled elegance. A sculptural element, possibly a vase or urn, sits atop the uppermost tier, adding to the sense of refined design.
Above the falls, the landscape opens into a vista featuring lush vegetation – trees with dense foliage frame the scene on either side. In the distance, a classical building, likely a palace or temple, rises above the trees, its architecture hinting at grandeur and civilization. The sky is rendered in soft blues and whites, conveying a sense of tranquility and expansive space. A single bird is depicted in flight near the upper left corner, adding a touch of dynamism to the otherwise static scene.
The decorative frame itself is noteworthy. It consists of swirling foliage motifs executed in blue and gold, with touches of yellow and white. The elaborate scrollwork suggests an association with luxury and refined taste. This framing device serves not only as a border but also as an integral part of the overall design, emphasizing the idealized nature of the landscape within.
Subtly, the work conveys themes of pastoral beauty and cultivated leisure. The combination of natural elements – waterfall, trees, sky – with man-made structures – the building, the sculpted urn, the ornate frame – suggests a harmonious relationship between humanity and its environment. It is likely intended to evoke a sense of escape and refinement, presenting an idealized vision of nature enhanced by artifice. The vertical format further contributes to this impression, elevating the scene beyond the everyday and imbuing it with a sense of aspiration.