Valance with chef
1790â99
Medium
printed, dyed & painted textiles
Classification
printed, dyed & painted textiles
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Cora Ginsburg
Accession Number
1994-80-25
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
### Valance with Chef Crafted by the esteemed French textile firm Wetter Frères around 1790–99, this *Valance with Chef* is a charming example of late 18th-century printed, dyed, and painted textiles Valances like this one adorned the tops of bed canopies, adding elegance and whimsy to domestic interiors. The central motif of a chef—likely depicted in a bustling kitchen scene—captures the era's fascination with culinary arts, reflecting France's enduring culinary heritage amid the social upheavals of the Revolutionary period. Wetter Frères specialized in innovative printing techniques, blend...