Sampler

Art Historical Context

This delicate 1819 German sampler, embroidered in cotton on cotton, exemplifies educational needlework practiced by young women in early 19th-century Europe Measuring 19⅝ × 20½ inches, it belongs to a tradition where girls as young as seven demonstrated their sewing proficiency through meticulously crafted panels. Displayed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art European Sculpture and Decorative department, it entered the collection through the bequest of Mabel Herbert Harper 1957, highlighting its enduring value as a domestic artifact. The embroidery features vibrant floral motifs—a common theme ...