Telemachus in the Island of Calypso
EmbroidererAttributed to
Sally Patten
(American, 1793 - 1810)
EmbroidererAttributed to
Fanny Patten
(American, 1794 - 1809)
SchoolTaught at
Moravian Seminary for Young Ladies
(founded 1749)
Date1805-1810
MediumEmbroidery; silk threads and watercolor on a plain-woven silk ground
Frame: wood, glass, gold and black paint
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x width of frame): 26 1/4 x 32in. (66.7 x 81.3cm)
Component (height x width of stretcher): 22 5/8 x 28 1/4in. (57.5 x 71.8cm)
ClassificationsTextiles
Credit LineGift of Seth P. Holcombe
Object number1996.150.2a,b
DescriptionNeedlework picture consisting of gold, yellow, bronze, tan, light brown, medium and light green, and cream silk threads, and watercolor on a plain-woven, cream-colored silk ground; the picture is labeled "TELEMACHUS IN THE ISLAND OF CALYPSO." The picture shows a seated man in sandals a robe between two young woman in classical dress; the women are handing flowers to the seated man. To the right is an older man and woman, also wearing classical costume. The figures are standing in front of a rocky backdrop, with a dark sky in the right background. The needlework picture is behind glass that is painted black at the edges; the title is painted in gold at the bottom center. The gilded wooden frame (original) consists of one deely curved molding.
Each edge of the silk ground is sewn to a strip of linen, which is in turn nailed or tacked to a wooden stretcher (original). Watercolor is painted directly onto the ground; this forms the sky and faces, limbs and feet of the individuals in the picture.
Stitches: The primary stitch on the needlework picture is satin stitch; it also includes long and short, encroaching satin, flat, and overlay work.
Condition: The silk thread is faded moderately. A piece of cardboard has been inserted into the back of the stretcher, to support the silk ground. Small areas of gold paint on the frame are flaking.
NotesSubject Note: The needlework picture depicts a scene from The Adventures of Telemachus, a novel written by the French bishop Francois de Slaignac de la Mothe-Fenelon, and published in 1699. Fenelon based his work on the characters in the Odyssey, a Greek epic poem attributed to the Homer and written about 800 to 600 B.C. The Odyssey tells the story of the Greek hero Odysseus and his ten-year journey home to Ithaca after the Trojan War. During his travels, Odysseus spent several years on the island Ogygia, captive of the seductive goddess Calypso. Fenelon's work picks up shortly after Odysseus has left the island, while his son, Telemachus, searches for him. In the opening pages of The Adventures of Telemachus, Telemachus is shipwrecked on the island of Ogygia with Mentor, a friend of Odysseus; upon landing, they meet the goddess Calypso and her nymphs. Telemachus proceeds to tell Calypso of his adventures during his search for Odysseus. (Hunt 9/18/2007)Each edge of the silk ground is sewn to a strip of linen, which is in turn nailed or tacked to a wooden stretcher (original). Watercolor is painted directly onto the ground; this forms the sky and faces, limbs and feet of the individuals in the picture.
Stitches: The primary stitch on the needlework picture is satin stitch; it also includes long and short, encroaching satin, flat, and overlay work.
Condition: The silk thread is faded moderately. A piece of cardboard has been inserted into the back of the stretcher, to support the silk ground. Small areas of gold paint on the frame are flaking.
Status
Not on view
