Design for the Embroidery of the Left Bottom Corner of a Man'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
1920-36-59
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
This delicate drawing, titled *Design for the Embroidery the Left Bottom Corner of Man's Waistcoat of theFabrique de St."*, hails from the renowned Fabrique de Saint Ruf workshop in Lyon, France, 1785. Lyon was Europe's silk capital in the 18th century, famed for its luxurious textiles that adorned the elite. As a preparatory sketch for embroidery on a gentleman's waistcoat—a key piece of Rococo-era menswear—this work captures the intricate patterns that elevated fashion to fine art, likely featuring floral motifs or geometric flourishes typical of the period's opulent style. The design refle...