Wall hanging fragment 1700 - 1725

This fragment of a wall hanging was created by Daniel Marot the Elder, probably in the late 17th or early 18th century. Marot was a Huguenot designer, and his style reflects the grandeur and elegance favored by European courts of the period. Looking at the cultural context of this piece, we see the influence of French Baroque design, characterized by its ornate details, symmetrical patterns, and references to nature. Textiles like this were essential in defining the spaces of the elite, communicating status and wealth through costly materials and skilled craftsmanship. It’s important to remember that the production of such textiles was supported by specific economic and social structures, including systems of patronage and the labor of skilled artisans. To fully understand this wall hanging, one might research the broader decorative arts of the period and the patronage networks that supported artists like Marot. This kind of historical inquiry helps us to see how art is always embedded in—and shaped by—its social and institutional context.