Design for the Embroidered Decoration of a Main's Waistcoat of the "Fabrique de St. Ruf"
Classification
Drawing
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt
Accession Number
1920-36-42
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
This delicate drawing, titled *Design for the Embroidered Decoration of a Man's Waistcoat* from the Fabrique de Saint Ruf in Lyon, France (ca. 1785), offers a glimpse into the opulent world of 18th-century fashion design. Created as a preparatory sketch for luxurious embroidery, it captures the intricate patterns intended for a gentleman's waistcoat—a key garment in men's formal attire during the late Rococo era. Lyon's silk industry, centered in workshops like Saint Ruf, was renowned across Europe for producing sumptuous textiles that adorned the elite, blending artistry with commerce on a gr...