Artwork

Composition avec bouquet et guirlandes de fleurs et branches de feuilles et de baies bleues, projets de broderies de gilet, XVIIIème siècle

Composition avec bouquet et guirlandes de fleurs et branches de feuilles et de baies bleues, 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

The composition features a central bouquet surrounded by garlands of foliage and clusters of blue berries, rendered with a refined sense of balance.

Created around the middle of the eighteenth century, this anonymous drawing presents a decorative arrangement intended for waistcoat embroidery. The composition features a central bouquet surrounded by garlands of foliage and clusters of blue berries, rendered with a refined sense of balance. The work is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography, where it serves as an example of period textile design.

Subject & Meaning

The image depicts a stylised floral motif, combining a variety of blossoms with leafy branches and small blue fruit. Such botanical elements were commonly employed in decorative arts to convey elegance and natural beauty, providing a visual template for needleworkers to translate onto fabric. The inclusion of blue berries adds a subtle contrast to the predominantly pastel palette.

Technique & Style

Executed in fine pen and wash, the drawing demonstrates meticulous line work and delicate shading that suggest the texture of silk or linen threads. The composition follows the Rococo aesthetic prevalent in mid‑century French decorative arts, emphasizing asymmetry, curving forms, and a light, airy colour scheme that guides the eye across the ornamental pattern.

History & Provenance

The piece dates to approximately 1750 and is attributed to an unknown artist, a common circumstance for design sheets intended for commercial use. It entered the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings through a 20th‑century acquisition of decorative‑arts material, where it has been catalogued as a representative example of eighteenth‑century embroidery projects.

Context

During the eighteenth century, embroidered waistcoats were fashionable garments among the European elite, and pattern books circulated among tailors and artisans. This drawing would have functioned as a practical guide, offering a ready‑made motif that could be adapted to the technical constraints of stitching while reflecting contemporary tastes for naturalistic ornamentation.