Design for an Embroidered Border c. 1765 - 1775

Charles Germain de Saint-Aubin created this "Design for an Embroidered Border" with pen, black ink, watercolor, and graphite. Note how the composition is structured vertically, guiding the eye from the top to the bottom with alternating floral arrangements and tassel designs. The artist employed delicate watercolors to define the floral motifs, contrasting the softer textures of the flowers with the intricately detailed tassels. The piece functions as a template, but also as a cultural artifact, reflecting the values and aesthetics of its time. The combination of organic and geometric elements reflects a broader intellectual interest in ordering the natural world. Notice finally how the meticulous detail and symmetry speak to the desire for control and refinement, values often associated with aristocratic taste. Yet, the fluidity of the watercolor challenges the constraints of formal design, suggesting that even within rigid structures there is room for expression.