"La Route de Poissy" with other scenes

Favre-Petitpierre et cie, 1815

MEDIUMCotton
DIMENSIONSL. 18 1/2 x W. 30 1/2 inches 47.0 x 77.5 cm
LOCATIONThe Metropolitan Museum of Art
COLLECTIONEuropean Sculpture and Decorative Arts
CULTUREFrench, Nantes
CREDIT LINEGift of Mrs. Darwin Morse, 1963

This cotton fabric offers a delightful glimpse into early 19th-century leisure, combining multiple charming scenes, including "La Route de Poissy," into a single, intricate design. It's a fascinating example of how everyday objects could tell stories.

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ABOUT THIS WORK

This cotton fabric, printed around 1815 by Favre-Petitpierre et cie, presents a lively collection of scenes, not just a single narrative. Look closely, and you'll discover a charming blend of everyday life and leisurely pursuits. The design, likely intended for furnishings, captures a moment when printed textiles often told stories or depicted popular pastimes. The company, known for its copperplate and roller-printed cottons, used these techniques to achieve the fine detail you see in the figures and landscapes. Imagine this fabric adorning a room, bringing a sense of bucolic charm and narrative interest to its surroundings. It reflects a broader trend in early 19th-century French design, where decorative arts embraced picturesque imagery and varied vignettes, moving away from more formal, singular motifs. The interplay of different activities across the surface invites a viewer to linger and explore each miniature world.

LOOK CLOSER

What to Notice

1

A couple strolls by a river, perhaps the Seine near Poissy.

2

A small boat with figures glides across the water.

3

Look for a group gathered near a building, possibly a tavern.

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Audio Deep Dive

This cotton fabric offers a delightful glimpse into early 19th-century leisure, combining multiple charming scenes, including "La Route de Poissy," into a sing…

Hear the full story in the app
THE ARTIST
Favre-Petitpierre et cie

French textile firm that turned cotton yardage into narrative art, printing Homer and Napoleon onto your curtains.

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