Design for a Valance in the Style of Louis XVI with Bushes and Garlands of Flowers and Containing Two Decorative Bunches of Leaves, Fruits and Flowers Holding Gardening Utensils and a Straw Hat 1870 - 1900

This design for a valance in the style of Louis XVI was made with watercolor and graphite on paper. The rendering of details like bunches of leaves, fruits and flowers holding gardening utensils, and a straw hat shows the artist’s skilled hand. The design is an exquisite example of the artistic tastes prevalent during the Louis XVI era in France. The medium is watercolor, a technique that requires precision. The application of watercolors on paper shows the artist’s understanding of the materials, and their skilled application to create a visually appealing design. However, the design is more than meets the eye. With its gardening tools and straw hat, this design alludes to the labor and class divisions prevalent in French society at the time, between the aristocracy and the working class. Understanding its material qualities and the social context enhances our appreciation, and challenges traditional distinctions between design and fine art.