Artwork

Décor paysage à bordure de violettes, projets de broderies de gilet, XVIIIème siècle

Décor paysage à bordure de violettes, 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 design, attributed to an anonymous hand and dated to around 1750, serves as a pattern for a decorative embroidery intended for a men’s vest. The drawing, preserved in the Museum of Ethnography, presents a flat, folded textile surface that outlines the intended decorative scheme.

Subject & Meaning

The composition juxtaposes a stylised landscape motif with a dense border of violet flowers. A sinuous central band suggests a river, fence or architectural element, while a miniature painted vignette in the background hints at a building, trees and an arched bridge, creating a narrative setting for the garment’s adornment.

Technique & Style

Executed as a line drawing, the design relies on clear, repeatable outlines suitable for hand‑embroidery. The violet border is rendered in tightly packed rows, and the floral and foliage elements are arranged in orderly patterns, reflecting the ornamental aesthetic common to eighteenth‑century French textile design.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1750, the piece entered the collection of the Museum of Ethnography, where it is catalogued as a project for a vest embroidery. Its anonymous authorship is typical of workshop drawings intended for commercial use rather than as signed artworks.

Context

During the mid‑1700s, decorative borders featuring floral motifs were popular in elite clothing, especially on men’s waistcoats. Such pattern books circulated among tailors and embroiderers, providing standardized designs that could be reproduced across different garments.

Legacy

Although the original garment has not survived, the drawing offers insight into the visual language of period dress decoration and the transmission of design ideas through pattern sheets, informing contemporary studies of historic textile practices.