Artwork

Composition avec bouquet de fleurs, guirlandes et frises de feuilles et de fleurs stylisées, projets de broderies de gilet, XVIIIème siècle

Composition avec bouquet de fleurs, guirlandes et frises de feuilles et de fleurs stylisées, projets de broderies de gilet, XVIIIème siècle is a drawing by Anonyme. It dates from 1750 and is held in the collection of the Palais Galliera - Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris.

About this work

Overview

This eighteenth‑century drawing, attributed to an unknown artist and dated to around 1750, presents a decorative border intended for a vest embroidery. Executed on a pale yellow sheet, the composition features an array of stylised flowers, leaves and vines that frame the paper’s edges. The work is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography.

Subject & Meaning

The design consists of a continuous garland of roses, berries and winding foliage rendered in muted pinks, greens and browns. Such botanical motifs were popular in the decorative arts of the period, symbolising natural abundance and serving as ornamental frameworks for textile projects rather than narrative scenes.

Technique & Style

Fine, controlled lines delineate each petal and stem, creating a delicate, almost schematic representation of the plants. The drawing’s simplicity, combined with careful attention to detail, reflects the practical purpose of the piece as a template for needlework, while still displaying the elegant stylisation characteristic of Rococo ornamental drawing.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1750, the sheet shows signs of age, including minor tears and staining along its margins, indicating long use or storage. It entered the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings at an unspecified date, where it is preserved as an example of historical textile design documentation.