Artwork

Composition de guirlandes de fleurs et de feuilles, projets de broderies de gilet, XVIIIème siècle

Composition de guirlandes de fleurs et de feuilles, 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. This eighteenth‑century drawing, dated around 1750, presents a design for embroidered waistcoats.

About this work

Overview

This eighteenth‑century drawing, dated around 1750, presents a design for embroidered waistcoats. Executed on a single sheet of aged paper, the composition consists of three diamond‑shaped panels densely populated with stylised flowers and foliage, rendered in a palette of soft pinks, blues, whites and verdant greens.

Subject & Meaning

The motif features a decorative garland of blossoms and leaves, intended as a template for textile ornamentation. The careful rendering of stems, buds and leaf veins suggests an emphasis on naturalistic detail, while the overall arrangement reflects the period’s taste for elegant, symmetrical surface decoration on clothing.

Technique & Style

The drawing employs fine cross‑hatching and delicate line work to suggest colour and texture, with dark purple outlines defining each floral element. The use of muted tones and a plain, weathered background highlights the design itself, typical of French ornamental drawing practices in the mid‑1700s.

History & Provenance

Attributed to an anonymous hand, the sheet bears the inscription “Salune Lloren” at its base, possibly indicating the creator or a patron. The work is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography, where it is preserved as an example of historical garment design.

Context

During the eighteenth century, embroidered waistcoats were fashionable garments among the European elite, and designers often produced detailed paper sketches to guide artisans. This piece exemplifies the collaborative process between designers and embroiderers, reflecting broader trends in decorative arts and textile production of the era.