Rocaille cartouche with flowers 1730 - 1755

This is a tapestry fragment, Rocaille cartouche with flowers, likely woven by Beauvais, presenting a study in asymmetrical balance through colour and form. The composition features a rococo cartouche framing a floral arrangement, set against a deep blue ground. The cartouche itself, defined by sinuous, ‘C’ and ‘S’ shaped curves, exemplifies the rococo aesthetic. It’s rendered in muted tones which contrast with the vibrant reds and greens of the flowers. These floral elements introduce a layer of naturalism, softening the rigidity of the cartouche. The tapestry’s edges, frayed and uneven, disrupt any sense of formal closure. We can think of this tapestry fragment as a microcosm of rococo’s challenge to the preceding baroque era, destabilizing notions of symmetry and order. It's a piece that invites us to consider how decorative arts can embody broader cultural shifts.