Artwork

Série de tulipes et guirlandes de feuilles et de baies rouges, projets de broderies de gilet, XVIIIème siècle

Série de tulipes et guirlandes de feuilles et de baies rouges, 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 paper drawing, attributed to an unknown artist, presents two elongated panels intended as decorative motifs for a men’s jacket.

This eighteenth‑century paper drawing, attributed to an unknown artist, presents two elongated panels intended as decorative motifs for a men’s jacket. Rendered in ink on aged paper, the composition features vivid tulips in pink, purple and yellow, interlaced with green foliage bearing red berries, all bounded by a narrow brown line. The work is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography.

Subject & Meaning

The design showcases a stylised botanical theme, pairing the cultivated tulip—a symbol of luxury in the period—with naturalistic leaves and fruit. The juxtaposition of bright flowers and contrasting red berries reflects the Rococo taste for ornamental exuberance, while the linear arrangement suggests a repeating pattern suitable for textile application.

Technique & Style

Executed with fine cross‑hatching, the drawing achieves tonal variation through intersecting lines that model the petals, leaves and berries. The delicate shading and precise contouring reveal a meticulous preparatory study, typical of eighteenth‑century embroidery sketches, where the artist translates a three‑dimensional motif into a two‑dimensional guide for needlework.

History & Provenance

Created around 1750, the sheet bears marginal annotations that likely record its intended use or ownership. Though the creator remains anonymous, the piece entered the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings as part of a broader assemblage of textile design materials, illustrating the cross‑cultural exchange of decorative arts in the Enlightenment era.