“Stop to appreciate this exquisite 18th-century textile, "Stargazer," where a figure observes the heavens amidst a dreamlike landscape. Its intricate silk and linen weave creates a luminous, almost three-dimensional scene, showcasing the era's blend of scientific curiosity and Rococo artistry.”
This shimmering textile, titled "Stargazer," draws us into a fantastical scene where celestial observation meets Rococo elegance. A figure, perhaps a scholar or an astronomer, is depicted amidst lush foliage, gazing upwards with an instrument towards a night sky dotted with stars. The intricate design, woven in linen and silk, showcases a remarkable depth and texture, allowing the brocading wefts to catch the light and create a subtle, almost three-dimensional effect. This piece, created around 1750, reflects the era's fascination with both scientific discovery and exotic, dreamlike landscapes. The delicate interplay of light and shadow, achieved through the satin weave and twill interlacings, gives the fabric a luxurious sheen, emphasizing the richness of the materials and the skill involved in its creation. It is a testament to the artistry of 18th-century French textile design, transforming a functional material into a captivating narrative.
- Artist
- Philippe de la Salle
- Date
- 1750
- Medium
- Linen and silk, satin weave with brocading wefts bound in twill interlacings
- Location
- Art Institute of Chicago
- Dimensions
- 101.4 × 55.3 cm (39 7/8 × 21 3/4 in.)
What to Notice
Five details hide in plain sight. Here’s where to look.

The figure's instrument, pointing towards the stars
The delicate, individual stars woven into the dark sky
The intricate patterns of the surrounding foliage
The shimmering quality of the silk threads
1 more detail is waiting.
See all 5 in Art Whisper →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
Upholstery passementerie
1750 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Coverlet
1755 · Cleveland Museum of Art
Coverlet and Fragments
1755 · Cleveland Museum of Art
Coverlet Fragment
1755 · Cleveland Museum of Art
More works to explore
Beyond de la Salle: works from the same years.
Same era · 1730s–1760s
Portrait of Madame Anne-Jeanne Cassanéa de Mondonville, née Boucon (1708-1780)
Maurice Quentin de Latour · 1752 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1730s–1760s
Richard Walker (1679–1764), Vice-Master and Horticulturist
John Theodore Heins · 1751 · Trinity College
Same era · 1730s–1760s
Flying Figure Holding a Crown, Reclining River God
Jacques-Louis David · 1760 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Same era · 1730s–1760s
Side Chair
Artist Unknown - The Mercat Cross, Aberdeen · 1750 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1730s–1760s
Medal cabinet
William Vile · 1760 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Same era · 1730s–1760s
Madonna and Child with Saints Peter and Paul
Stefano Mulinari · 1750 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Same era · 1730s–1760s
Hunter with Hounds
Höchster Porzellan-Manufaktur · 1755 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Same era · 1730s–1760s
Image of an Empire in Peace and Prosperity
Zhou Kun · 1745 · National Palace Museum
Same era · 1730s–1760s
Landscape
William Wooller · 1763 · Cleveland Museum of Art
Same era · 1730s–1760s
View of Ponte Lugano on the Anio, from Views of Rome
Giovanni Battista Piranesi · 1763 · Art Institute of Chicago
