La Péche et la Commerce Maritime (Fishing and Maritime Trade) (Furnishing Fabric) c. 1780

This furnishing fabric, titled "La Péche et la Commerce Maritime," was designed by Jean Jacques Le Veau. Made from linen, the pattern was likely created through copperplate printing, a process that allowed for highly detailed, pictorial designs. This technique involved engraving a design onto a copper plate, inking it, and then pressing it onto the fabric. The result is a monochrome print with fine lines and subtle shading. This type of textile reflects the 18th-century fascination with commerce and maritime activity. The imagery of fishing and trade ships speaks to France’s economic ambitions and colonial reach. The fabric itself would have been a luxury item, adorning the homes of the well-to-do. So the pattern not only represents a world of labor, but also a world of consumption, with different social classes implicitly assigned to different roles in its production and reception. Thinking about "La Péche et la Commerce Maritime" reminds us that textiles can tell stories about trade, labor, and the social values of their time.