Sampler
Unknown Artist
1765
Medium
Silk on linen
Dimensions
H. 17 x W. 13 inches (43.2 x 33 cm)
Classification
Textiles-Embroidered
Culture
German
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1913
Accession Number
13.69.46
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite 1765 sampler, crafted by an unknown German artist, exemplifies the educational needlework traditions of 18th-century Europe. Embroidered in vibrant silk threads on a linen ground, it measures 17 by 13 inches and the meticulous skill required of young girls learning domestic arts. Samplers like this served as both personal practice pieces and family heirlooms, often featuring alphabets, verses, or motifs to demonstrate proficiency in stitching techniques such as cross-stitch, satin stitch, and outlining. The design bursts with lively imagery: elegant human figures, graceful bird...