Queen Blanche Relieving the Captive Prisoners
EmbroidererEmbroidered by
Mary Savage
(American)
Date1811
MediumEmbroidery: silk threads, metallic threads, chenille yarn, velvet, sequins and gouache on a plain-woven, cream-colored silk ground; plain-woven linen
Frame: wood, glass, gold and black paint
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x width of frame): 28 3/4 x 28 3/4in. (73 x 73cm)
ClassificationsTextiles
Credit LineGift of the heirs of Morgan B. Brainard
Object number1971.30.6
DescriptionNeedlework picture consisting of gold, cream, blue-green, light blue, red and white silk thread, blue-green, medium green, and brown chenille, untwisted silk floss, green velvet, gold metallic thread, sequins, and gouache on a plain-woven, cream-colored silk ground; the picture is labeled "MARY SAVAGE AD 1811" and "QUEEN BLANCHE RELIEVING THE PRISONERS". The picture shows a woman in an empire-style dress, with an outstretched right arm, and a stick in her lowered left hand. To her right is a young woman. Toward the left side of the picture are three kneeling figures, a man, a woman and a child. These five figures are located on a porch or courtyard in front of a tall brick or stone building. The building has three windows, each of them with bars; a man is facing out of the closest window. In the middle distance, behind the courtyard, are three men, each wearing a cape and holding a spear. To the right of the picture is a cliff with trees and plants at the top. In the far background is a body of water; a ship is in the water and a castle is on the shore. 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 deeply 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. The foreground is not embroidered, but consists of a panel of green velvet sewn to the ground.
Stitches: The primary stitch on the needlework picture is satin stitch; it also includes encroaching satin, couching and french knots.
Condition: The silk thread is faded moderately, and a number of threads are breaking and lifting from the surface. The sheer silk overlay that makes up the dresses of Queen Blanche and the adult female prisoner is shattering. The black and gold paint used on the reverse of the glass is flaking severely; portions of the inscription in gold paint have been repainted at a later date. The backing on the stretcher and frame has been removed, leaving the back protected only by an old and very brittle paper board. The stretcher is not joined to the frame but is held in place with modern brackets.
NotesSubject Note: The needlework picture depicts Blanche of Castile (1188-1252), the wife of Louis VIII of France and mother of Louis IX, who was twice regent of France (1226-34, 1248-52). Later in life, Blanche watched over the poor of Paris. When some of the poor were mistreated by the cathedral chapter, she rode to open the gates to their prison. According to Elizabeth Starling's Noble Deeds of Woman (1850), "proceeding with her guards to the prison gates, she commanded them to be opened. The soldiers hesitating to obey her, she struck, with a stick she had in her hand, the first blow: the stroke being instantly seconded, the gates were quickly destroyed, when a crowd of miserable wretches, their faces squalid and disfigured, and their garments tattered, came forth. Casting themselves at the feet of the queen, they implored her protection...." (Hunt 9/13/2007)Each edge of the silk ground is sewn to a strip of linen, which is in turn nailed or tacked to a wooden stretcher. The foreground is not embroidered, but consists of a panel of green velvet sewn to the ground.
Stitches: The primary stitch on the needlework picture is satin stitch; it also includes encroaching satin, couching and french knots.
Condition: The silk thread is faded moderately, and a number of threads are breaking and lifting from the surface. The sheer silk overlay that makes up the dresses of Queen Blanche and the adult female prisoner is shattering. The black and gold paint used on the reverse of the glass is flaking severely; portions of the inscription in gold paint have been repainted at a later date. The backing on the stretcher and frame has been removed, leaving the back protected only by an old and very brittle paper board. The stretcher is not joined to the frame but is held in place with modern brackets.
Status
Not on view
