Needlework Picturec. 1820Sight: 5 x 8 " (12.7 x 20.3 cm)
Frame: 7 1/2 x 10 3/8 x 1 1/8 " (19.1 x 26.4 x 2.9 cm)Silk, chenille, graphite, metallic thread on silkMuseum purchase with funds provided by Elizabeth V. and Irwin Warren2024.11.111578799163Artist unidentifiedTextilesThe American Folk Art Museum believes this work to be in the public domainUnited StatesMassachusettsTextilesRecent AcquisitionsAdam ReichThis tender depiction of a courting couple exemplifies the continuity of landscape themes and the “house sampler” tradition as popular motifs in girls’ visual education. The intimate scene nonetheless offers a distinctive composition, with particularized details including an idiosyncratic house, paned windows, and articulated fence. The grass, trees, and house are worked in chenille, providing highly appealing texture that sets off the elegance of the silkwork couple. Handsomely attired and fluidly posed, the figures may have been inspired by a print source. Graphite outlines of more leaves in the upper lefthand corner indicate an unfinished element of the composition that provides an intriguing window onto needlework processes. The couple’s faces are also sketched in graphite, a multimedia approach to needlework pictures that was common especially in the 19th century.needlework picture with depiction of a courting couple, the grass, trees, and house are worked in chenille, graphite outlines of more leaves in the upper lefthand corner indicate an unfinished element of the composition. The couple’s faces are also sketched in graphite, a multimedia approach to needlework pictures that was common especially in the 19th century.Object information is a work in progress and may be updated
with new research. Records are reviewed and revised, and the American Folk Art
Museum welcomes additional information.
To help improve this record, please email photoservices@folkartmuseum.org18151825 2024 11 1 This tender depiction of a courting couple exemplifies the continuity of landscape themes and the “house sampler” tradition as popular motifs in girls’ visual education. The intimate scene nonetheless offers a distinctive composition, with particularized details including an idiosyncratic house, paned windows, and articulated fence. The grass, trees, and house are worked in chenille, providing highly appealing texture that sets off the elegance of the silkwork couple. Handsomely attired and fluidly posed, the figures may have been inspired by a print source. Graphite outlines of more leaves in the upper lefthand corner indicate an unfinished element of the composition that provides an intriguing window onto needlework processes. The couple’s faces are also sketched in graphite, a multimedia approach to needlework pictures that was common especially in the 19th century.needlework picture with depiction of a courting couple, the grass, trees, and house are worked in chenille, graphite outlines of more leaves in the upper lefthand corner indicate an unfinished element of the composition. The couple’s faces are also sketched in graphite, a multimedia approach to needlework pictures that was common especially in the 19th century.Object information is a work in progress and may be updated
with new research. Records are reviewed and revised, and the American Folk Art
Museum welcomes additional information.
To help improve this record, please email photoservices@folkartmuseum.org