Blue and white tile invitation figure, produced in Portugal during the 20th century, inspired by the models developed in the Baroque period.

Invitation figures are one of the most distinctive types of Portuguese Azulejaria. First appearing in the late 17th century and widely used throughout the 18th century, they were placed near the entrances to palaces, manor houses, and gardens, depicting servants, nobles, soldiers, or other figures. Their purpose was to create the illusion of human presence, symbolically welcoming visitors and enhancing the architectural setting.

This piece depicts a gentleman dressed in 18th-century fashion, rendered in shades of blue on a white background and cut out along the figure’s outline—a technique characteristic of this genre.