Artwork

Gilet décor de plumes, fraises et perles, projets de broderies de gilet, XVIIIème siècle

Gilet décor de plumes, fraises et perles, projets de broderies de gilet, XVIIIème siècle is a drawing by the Romanticist artist Anonyme. It dates from 1775 and is held in the collection of the Palais Galliera - Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris. This eighteenth‑century drawing presents a decorative scheme for a men’s vest, rendered as a faint, hand‑drawn illustration.

About this work

Overview

The design’s palette features muted blues, greens and yellows that stand out against a light ground, suggesting a pattern intended for textile work.

This eighteenth‑century drawing presents a decorative scheme for a men’s vest, rendered as a faint, hand‑drawn illustration. The composition is organized around a central field populated by stylised foliage, blossoms and berries, framed by a delicate border of dotted motifs and scrolling swags. The design’s palette features muted blues, greens and yellows that stand out against a light ground, suggesting a pattern intended for textile work.

Subject & Meaning

The motif combines natural elements—leaves, flowers and small fruit—into an ornamental arrangement typical of Rococo taste, where the emphasis lies on graceful movement rather than botanical accuracy. Such decorative programs were meant to convey elegance and refinement on garments, enhancing the wearer’s social presentation through visual richness.

Technique & Style

Executed as a preparatory sketch for embroidery, the drawing employs fine line work to indicate stitch direction and placement. The stylised rendering of botanical forms reflects the period’s penchant for idealised nature, while the repetitive dot border and flowing swags echo contemporary textile design conventions.

History & Provenance

Attributed to an anonymous hand, the drawing is dated to 1775 and forms part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography. It likely served as a pattern for a bespoke vest produced for a client in the late eighteenth century, illustrating the interplay between fashion illustration and craft in that era.