Panel with mythological figures and arabesques 1790 - 1800

This silk panel with mythological figures and arabesques was made by Jean Démosthène Dugourc sometime in the late 18th or early 19th century. The work's dense imagery and cool palette belie the intense labor required to produce it. Silk damask of this quality would have been created on a drawloom. This technology allowed for the creation of large-scale repeating patterns. But it required a team of weavers working in coordination to manage the complex weave structure. The finished product was destined for the homes of the wealthy, those able to afford such intricate textiles. This panel gives us insight into the economic disparities of the time. It reminds us that aesthetic pleasure often relies on the hard work of invisible hands. By considering the making, we recognize the true value woven into the fabric.