Artwork

Gilet décor séduction entre un officier et une paysanne, projets de broderies de gilet, XVIIIème siècle

Gilet décor séduction entre un officier et une paysanne, 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. Created around 1750 by an unidentified artist, this eighteenth‑century work is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography.

About this work

Overview

Created around 1750 by an unidentified artist, this eighteenth‑century work is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography. It presents a decorative design intended for a embroidered vest, illustrating a light‑hearted encounter between a military officer and a peasant woman.

Subject & Meaning

The central tableau shows a uniformed officer embracing a woman in a long skirt, while a child and a dog frolic nearby, suggesting a playful, possibly flirtatious narrative. An inset scene above the main image depicts a pair strolling in a garden, reinforcing the theme of romantic pursuit across social boundaries.

Technique & Style

Executed in a delicate palette of pastel hues, the composition is filled with intricate botanical motifs and ornamental patterns. The rendering of foliage, flowers, and clothing details demonstrates a refined hand, typical of decorative embroidery designs of the period.

History & Provenance

The piece dates to the mid‑eighteenth century, a time when such embroidered vest projects were popular among the French aristocracy and bourgeoisie. It entered the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings through acquisition, though the exact path of ownership remains undocumented.

Context

During the 1700s, embroidered garments often featured narrative scenes that blended courtly romance with pastoral imagery. This work reflects contemporary tastes for idyllic, genre‑type subjects that could be displayed on clothing as a form of personal adornment and social signaling.