Mise-en-carte (Point-paper) 1760 - 1790

This floral design, known as a "mise-en-carte," or "point paper," was created by Germain Frères, using gouache and graphite on paper. Look closely, and you'll notice the grid. This was the essential tool for textile production in the nineteenth century. Artisans translated freehand designs into this gridded format, which would then be followed by weavers operating a Jacquard loom. Each square corresponded to a single stitch, allowing for complex patterns to be efficiently reproduced. The process involved a collaboration between the designer and the weaver. While the designer conceived the artwork, the weaver ultimately determined its feasibility, considering the interplay of colors and the limitations of the loom. These "point papers" like this one, therefore, are fascinating records of creative exchange, and speak volumes about the division of labor at the time. These floral patterns were ubiquitous, but the real artistry lies in the ingenious translation from freehand to grid. Next time you see a woven textile, remember the intricate, often invisible, labor that went into its creation. It is a testament to the fusion of art, craft, and industry.