Design for Two Embroidered or Woven Borders of the "Fabrique de St. Ruf"

About this artwork

Research in Progress

Art Historical Context

This delicate drawing from 1800–1825 captures the refined artistry of Lyon’s renowned textile industry. Created by the Fabrique de Saint Ruf, one of the city’s celebrated silk manufacturers, the work serves as a preparatory design for two embroidered or woven borders. Rendered in the medium of drawing, it reveals the meticulous planning behind luxury fabrics that adorned clothing, furnishings, and ceremonial objects during the Napoleonic era and the early years of the Restoration. Lyon stood at the heart of European silk production at this time, blending traditional handcraft with emerging industrial techniques. Such border designs often featured elegant patterns suited to the neoclassical tastes of the period, emphasizing symmetry, floral motifs, and graceful lines. As part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s collection, gifted by Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt, this piece offers visitors a glimpse into the collaborative world of designers and weavers who elevated everyday textiles into works of art.