Maritime and country scene

A cut out panel presenting two distinct scenes, one maritime and the other rural, either one of them characteristic of azulejo representations of a period – the second quarter of the 18th century – normally designated as that of the Grand Production.
As in Portugal azulejos were traditionally designed for the revetment of specific architectural spaces, many solutions were found to cover large wall expanses. Based always on engraved iconographic sources, it was possible to associate different representations and even extend them if necessary. In this present case, a tree placed in the centre of the composition allows it to be extended, acting simultaneously as an element of separation and also to conceal the abrupt break in the palace façade that ends the maritime scene.
The cut-out frame on the upper part, which is very scenographic, accentuates the theatrical composition of the two scenes.