Images(2)

Needlework Memorial to Louisa Pettibone

Dateca. 1806

Attributed to Julia Pettibone (1788-1876)

OriginAmerica, Connecticut, Litchfield (probably)

MediumSilk embroidery threads, paint, and ink on a silk ground (fiber identification by eye) Painted wooden frame with gilding and reverse painted glass mat with gilding

DimensionsFramed: OW 17" x OH 20" Actual (by sight): OW 12 2/8" x OH 16 1/2"

Credit LineGift of Beatrix T. Rumford

Object number2020.604.2

DescriptionThis is a framed, oval needlework picture worked in shades of gold, green, blue, black, and white silk embroidery threads, paint, and ink on a silk ground. The picture depicts four people standing around a tomb which is shaded by a willow tree. Standing behind the tomb is a man and a woman; the man holds the woman’s hand and points to the heavens with his (anatomical) left hand. A boy and young woman stand to the right of the tomb; the young woman leans her (anatomical) right elbow on the tomb and rests her face in her hand. All of the figures are dressed in black. The inscription on the tomb reads: "LOUISA PETTIBONE./ Died January 1st 1806./ Aged 21 Years." Flowers grow to the left of the tomb while a tree grows to the right. The figures, inscription, and leaves on the righthand tree are painted.
Stitches: couched, French knot, satin, outline/stem.

The needlework picture is in the original frame with a replaced églomisé mat. An inscription on the mat reads: "THE SWEET, REMEMBRANCE OE [sic] THE JUST, SHALL FLOURISH WHEN THEY SLEEP in DUST." A flower adorns each corner of the mat and a vine borders the picture. The initials "JP" surmount the picture and interrupt the progress of the vine.
Label TextJulia Pettibone probably completed this memorial to her older sister, Louisa, while attending the Litchfield Female Academy in Litchfield, Connecticut. Although there are no records stating that Julia attended this academy, her sister, Susan/Susannah (1796-1868), completed two memorial pictures there; one commemorated the death of her father, Giles Pettibone, Jr. while the other was a dual commemoration for both her grandfather, Giles Pettibone, Sr. and her grandmother, Desiah Pettibone.
Inscribed"LOUISA PETTIBONE./ Died January 1st 1806./ Aged 21 Years."
An inscription on the reproduction églomisé mat reads: "THE SWEET, REMEMBRANCE OE [sic] THE JUST, SHALL FLOURISH WHEN THEY SLEEP in DUST."
MarkingsThere are three gallery labels, one on the side of the frame and two on the back. The two labels on the back list the names of two galleries: The American Folk Art Gallery and Terry Dintenfass, Inc., both of which are located in New York City.
ProvenanceThe first recorded owner of this piece was Edith Halpert who displayed it in her American Folk Art Gallery in New York, New York in December 1936 as part of an exhibit titled "Vital Statistics." It was exhibited at the Sheldon Swope Art Gallery in Terre Haut, Indiana in November 1961. Beatrix T. Rumford (b. 1939) purchased the picture in March 1973 from the Terry Dintenfass Gallery in New York, New York. In 2020, Ms. Rumford donated the picture to Colonial Williamsburg.

History of Maker:
This piece is attributed to Julia Pettibone, who was born to Giles Pettibone (1760-1811) and Louisa Pease (1760-1835) in 1788 in Litchfield, Connecticut. She married Amos Pettibone (1786-1864) on April 22, 1834. Julia died on February 13, 1876 and is buried in Litchfield, Connecticut.

History of Subject:
Louisa Pettibone was born to Giles Pettibone (1760-1811) and Louisa Pease (1760-1835) on January 16, 1785. She died on January 1, 1806 and is buried in Litchfield, Connecticut.