Twee randen 1785

Jean Baptiste Echantillon, a royal embroiderer from Lyon, created this print to showcase designs for floral embroidery. While the image itself is two-dimensional, printed on paper, it is an advertisement of sorts for luxurious embroidery on textiles that would have had qualities of texture, sheen, and density. Echantillon probably used an etching technique to make this print. The fine, precise lines would have required skill and control. But it's important to remember that this print is not the main event. It is a means to an end, directing the skilled labor of embroiderers to create elegant patterns for wealthy clients to adorn their garments, pocketbooks, and other fine textiles. This print provides insight into the world of luxury goods, but it also directs attention to the artistry of the needle workers who were the real producers of these patterns. By acknowledging the labor and skill involved in embroidery, we gain a fuller appreciation of the textile arts.