Two Waistcoat Designs
1794–1804
Classification
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Purchased for the Museum by the Advisory Council
Accession Number
1921-6-395-30
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Pierre Ranson, a artist known for his elegant work, created these for waistcoats during a period when printed patterns played an important role in spreading fashion ideas across Europe. The print, dated 1794–1804 and now part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s collection, presents two distinct waistcoat motifs that would have guided tailors and embroiderers in their craft. As a classified print, the work highlights how such designs circulated beyond the artist’s studio, allowing skilled makers to translate delicate patterns into wearable garments. Purchased for the museum by the Advisory Council, this piece offers visitors a glimpse into the intersection of art and everyday elegance in late eighteenth-century France. Ongoing research continues to uncover details about its production and use, inviting viewers to appreciate the artistry behind what might at first appear to be simple clothing templates.