Artwork

Bouquet de roses blanches pour étoffe, projets de broderies de gilet, XVIIIème siècle

Bouquet de roses blanches pour étoffe, projets de broderies de gilet, XVIIIème siècle is a drawing by the Romanticist artist Anonyme. It dates from 1780 and is held in the collection of the Palais Galliera - Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris.

About this work

Overview

The drawing, attributed to an anonymous hand and dated to around 1780, depicts a modest arrangement of white roses with accompanying green foliage set against a muted yellow background. Rendered in delicate line work, the composition includes scattered stems and minor blossoms, suggesting a study intended for translation into textile decoration.

Subject & Meaning

The image functions as a design template for embroidery on a garment, specifically a waistcoat. The notation "pour étoffe" (for fabric) and the term "broderies" (embroidery) indicate that the bouquet was meant to be rendered in thread, providing a decorative motif for clothing rather than a standalone artwork.

Technique & Style

Executed with light, fluid strokes, the roses are outlined with soft lines that convey petal texture, while the leaves feature subtle blue stippling that suggests veining. The overall aesthetic reflects the late‑eighteenth‑century French taste for naturalistic yet stylized floral motifs used in applied arts.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1780, the drawing entered the collection of the Museum of Ethnography, where it is catalogued as a representative example of period embroidery designs. Its anonymous authorship aligns with the common practice of workshop production for textile patterns, which were often not signed.

Context

During the eighteenth century, fashion garments such as waistcoats frequently displayed embroidered floral panels. Designers produced paper sketches like this one to guide artisans in translating motifs into stitched form, integrating the era's fascination with botanical illustration into everyday dress.