Design for an embroidered "gilet" of the Fabrique de St. Ruf
ca. 1785
Classification
embroidery & stitching
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt
Accession Number
1920-36-81
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
This delicate design for an embroidered *gilet*—a sleeveless waistcoat popular in 18th-century gentleman's attire—hails from the Fabrique de St. Ruf, a renowned textile workshop likely based in Lyon, a hub of silk production and luxury embroidery during the Ancienime. Dated around 1785, it the opulent fashion of the late Rococo era, just before the French Revolution, intricate needlework adorned elite wardrobes with floral motifs, scrolls, or geometric patterns to showcase wealth and craftsmanship. As a preparatory design in the classification of embroidery and stitching, this artwork exempli...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...