Memorial Picture
EmbroidererEmbroidered by
Unknown
FramerFramed by
Nathan Ruggles
1774 - 1835
Date1800-1815
MediumEmbroidery; silk thread, chenille yarn, and paint on a satin-woven silk ground, wood
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x width of .a): 16 1/8 x 14in. (41 x 35.6cm)
ClassificationsTextiles
Credit LineMuseum purchase.
DescriptionMemorial picture (.a) with the original frame (.b) and framer's label (.c). The picture is worked in light, medium and dark green, yellow, dark medium and light blue, white and pink silk threads, brown, light medium and dark green chenille yarn, grey, pink, and blue paint, and metallic thread, on a cream-colored satin-woven silk ground, using satin stitch and other stitches. The memorial picture shows a woman in a flowing dress kneeling at a low stone memorial. The memorial is located in front of a tall willow tree on a small body of water; the memorial is reflected in the water. To the left and right are larger trees. The landscape is surrounded by an oval metallic thread frame. The sky, water, hair, face, arms and hands of the woman are hand-painted directly onto the ground.
The satin-woven silk ground is nailed at the edges onto a rectangular wooden stretcher.
Stitches: The primary stitch on the memorial picture is satin stitch; it also includes long and short, encroaching satin, flat, french knot, and couching.
Condition: The thread and yarn has moderate to severe fading. The upper half of the picture is stained. The ground has scattered holes where it overlaps the stretcher. The ground is worn at the edges where it meets the edges of the stretcher.
Framer's Label: Label with words: "Nathan Ruggles Looking-Glass Manufactuer, Main-Street, Hartford; Connecticut. Embroidery & Pictures, Framed, Glass-Signs, Lettered, &c. Looking-Glass Plates, Silvered."
The satin-woven silk ground is nailed at the edges onto a rectangular wooden stretcher.
Stitches: The primary stitch on the memorial picture is satin stitch; it also includes long and short, encroaching satin, flat, french knot, and couching.
Condition: The thread and yarn has moderate to severe fading. The upper half of the picture is stained. The ground has scattered holes where it overlaps the stretcher. The ground is worn at the edges where it meets the edges of the stretcher.
Framer's Label: Label with words: "Nathan Ruggles Looking-Glass Manufactuer, Main-Street, Hartford; Connecticut. Embroidery & Pictures, Framed, Glass-Signs, Lettered, &c. Looking-Glass Plates, Silvered."
Object number1980.78.0a-c
MarkingsThe picture (.a) has been separated from its frame (.b) and label (.c); the label is located in Graphics, under "Abner Reed" or in the print labels box. Based on a photocopy in the object file, the label reads, "Nathan Ruggles/ LOOKING-GLASS/ Manufacturer,/ Main Street, Hartford;/ Connecticut./ Embroidery & Pictures/ Framed/ Glass, Signs, Lettered, &c./ Looking-Glass Plates Silvered./ A REED." This is printed inside an engraving of an elaborate, early nineteenth century looking glass frame.Subject Terms
On View
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