Design for Embroidered Waistcoat, pattern 1919 of Fabrique de St. Ruf
ca. 1785
Classification
embroidery & stitching
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt
Accession Number
1920-36-323
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
This delicate design for an embroidered waist, created around 1785 by the enigmatic artist L. V. as pattern 1919 from the Fabrique de St Ruf workshop, offers a glimpse into the opulent world of 18th-century. Produced on the eve of the French Revolution, it the height of Rococo-influenced menswear, where waistcoats served as canvases for intricate embroidery, showcasing wealth and refinement among the elite. As a pattern for embroidery and stitching—a craft centered in Lyon, France's silk hub— this artwork exemplifies the meticulous preparatory designs used by workshops like Fabrique de St. Ruf to guide skilled needleworkers. Though the exact medium remains unknown amid ongoing research, such patterns were typically inked or painted on paper or fabric, ensuring symmetrical motifs of florals, scrolls, or vignettes that would later bloom in silk threads, silver, and gold. Now part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum's collection, gifted by Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt, this piece highlights the fusion of art and attire. It invites us to appreciate the unsung artistry behind period costumes, reminding visitors of how embroidery bridged craftsmanship and culture in the Age of Elegance.
About the Artist
L. V. (British) · 0018 –0018
British, 18th century