Trompe-l’oeil Letter Board (Primary Title)
Jean Valette-Falgores, called Valette-Penot, French, 1710 - 1777 (Artist)
This curious trompe l’oeil was likely part of the decor
for an 18th-century cabinet of curiosities. The name
“Monsieur de Villeneuve” written on the opened letter
in the bottom portion of the composition probably
refers to Joachim Faiguet de Villeneuve (1703–1781), an
economist and philosopher who contributed several
articles concerning economics and religion to the
groundbreaking encyclopedia edited by Denis Diderot
(1713–1784). The various paper items, engraving tool,
letter-writing implements, and fragments of playing
cards that surround the suspended scallop shell in the
center of the still life may suggest its patron’s preferred
occupation, or they may indicate the kinds of objects
actually housed in the room the painting adorned. The
print in the top left corner reproduces a composition
in the style of Renaissance artist Antonio Tempesta
(1555–1630), a favorite among art collectors of the time.
The book printed with the date 1611 appears to be a posthumous edition of Prophecies of Nostradamus, which
had already become a classic of spiritual literature.
The Jordan and Thomas A. Saunders III Collection
Some object records are not complete and do not reflect VMFA's full and current knowledge. VMFA makes routine updates as records are reviewed and enhanced.
