“Stop to appreciate this exquisite piece of 18th-century French textile art. Its shimmering silk and velvety chenille reveal a world of luxury and unparalleled craftsmanship.”
This stunning length of brocaded satin, created around 1775, offers a glimpse into the luxurious world of 18th-century French textiles. Its surface shimmers with an intricate pattern of floral motifs, ribbons, and delicate trellises, all rendered in silk and chenille. The design, likely intended for opulent court dress or lavish interior furnishings, showcases a sophisticated blend of naturalistic elements and rococo elegance. Look closely at the way the light catches the varied textures, from the smooth, reflective satin ground to the raised, velvety chenille details. This contrast in material creates a dynamic visual effect, making the pattern almost three-dimensional as if it's blossoming directly from the fabric itself. Such elaborate textiles were not merely decorative; they were powerful symbols of status and wealth, requiring immense skill and time to produce.
- Artist
- Philippe de la Salle
- Date
- 1775
- Medium
- satin, brocaded; silk with areas of chenille
- Location
- Cleveland Museum of Art
- Dimensions
- [object Object]
What to Notice
Four details hide in plain sight. Here’s where to look.

Observe the subtle sheen of the satin, which makes the colors appear to shift.
Find the plush, raised areas of chenille yarn that add texture and depth.
Trace the delicate, curling ribbons woven throughout the floral design.
Notice the intricate details in each individual flower and leaf.
Stand in front of it and listen
The full narration walks you through Length of Brocaded Satin — the story behind it, the details most visitors miss, and why it matters. Free in the Art Whisper app.
Philippe de la Salle
1723–1804 · FrancePhilippe de la Salle was a master of 18th-century Lyon silk weaving, known for luxurious textiles like his 'Branche de Corail'.
Further Works by de la Salle
Design for a Lampas Silk with a Triumphal Chariot on a Cloud
1765 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Chair back
1765 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Two Pieces of Embroidery
1723 · Cleveland Museum of Art
Upholstery for a Chair Seat
1738 · Cleveland Museum of Art
Coverlet
1755 · Cleveland Museum of Art
Coverlet and Fragments
1755 · Cleveland Museum of Art
Coverlet Fragment
1755 · Cleveland Museum of Art
Silk Fragment
1770 · Cleveland Museum of Art
More works to explore
Beyond de la Salle: works from the same years.
Same era · 1760s–1790s
Andromache Mourning Hector
Jacques-Louis David · 1783 · Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts
Same era · 1760s–1790s
Portrait of a Lady
John Smart of Ipswich · 1773 · Yale Center for British Art
Same era · 1760s–1790s
Louis-Philippe-Joseph, Duke of Orleans 'Philippe Egalité' (1747-1793) (after Sir Joshua Reynolds)
Samuel Drummond · 1785 · National Trust
Same era · 1760s–1790s
Portrait of a Man
Benjamin West · 1790 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1760s–1790s
Self-Portrait
Francisco Goya · 1783 · Musée des Beaux-Arts d'Agen
Same era · 1760s–1790s
A young girl walks towards the left with one infant on her shoulder and holding another small child's hand, while two children walk at right with a torch and a basket
Luca Cambiaso · 1775 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Same era · 1760s–1790s
John Jehu, L'Inghilterra
James Bretherton · 1772 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Same era · 1760s–1790s
Hot milk jug
Höchst Manufactory · 1770 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Same era · 1760s–1790s
Pair of Side Chairs
Artist Unknown - The Mercat Cross, Aberdeen · 1770 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1760s–1790s
The Right Honorable Henry Fox, Lord Holland
William Hogarth · 1782 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Same era · 1760s–1790s
Sappho embracing Love
John Mannin · 1786 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Same era · 1760s–1790s
Looking Glass
unknown composer author · 1790 · Art Institute of Chicago
