Design for an Embroidered or Woven Horizontal Border of the "Fabrique de St. Ruf"

About this artwork

Research in Progress

Art Historical Context

This delicate drawing, titled *Design for an Embroidered oroven Horizontal Border of theFabrique de St."*, hails from the renowned silkactory Fabrique de Saint in Lyon, France, to 1805–1815. Created as a preparatory sketch, it served as a blueprint for textile production—likely guiding weavers or embroiderers in crafting decorative borders for fabrics. Lyon, the heart of France's silk during the Napoleonic era, famed for its innovative Jacquard looms and luxurious textiles that adorned Europe's elite, blending neoclassical motifs with Empire style elegance. As a medium, this ink or pencil drawing exemplifies the precision of 19th-century design practices, where detailed patterns ensured reproducibility on looms. Such works bridged artistry and industry, reflecting the period's shift toward mechanized production while preserving handcrafted quality. Housed in the Smithsonian American Art Museum's collection—thanks to the generous gift of Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt—it offers a glimpse into the collaborative world of French textile design. Though research continues, this piece underscores Lyon's cultural legacy as a global textile powerhouse, influencing fashion from ball gowns to furnishings during a transformative era in European design history.