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

This 'Mise-en-carte (Point-paper)' was designed by Veret using watercolor and graphite. It’s an image of floral designs laid out on a grid. This piece is from a fascinating moment in the industrialization of France. It gives us insight into the history of the textile industry, and the cultural politics that shaped the designs of everyday objects. In the 19th century, Lyon became a center for silk production, and designs like these would have been used as guides for weavers. The grid system allowed for the easy translation of the design into the woven fabric, with each square corresponding to a stitch. The floral motifs reflect the broader interest in naturalism that marked European art and design during this time. But the image also demonstrates the growth of an industrial system that sought to harness creativity for profit. The historian’s role is to unpack these layers of meaning, drawing on sources like trade records, design manuals, and social histories to fully understand the context in which art is created.