Needlework Picture, Landscape With Urn of Flowers, by Betsy Davis

Date1802

Artist/Maker Betsy Davis (active ca. 1802)

MediumSilk and chenille embroidery threads on a satin-weave, silk ground

DimensionsFramed: OH 28 6/8" x 35 1/2" Unframed: OH 23 3/4" x OW 31 3/8"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1970.603.1

DescriptionThis is a needlework picture worked in shades of red, gold, green, blue, beige, and white silk and chenille embroidery threads on a silk ground. A blue and white, fluted urn with two handles occupies the center of the composition; the urn contains an arrangement of flowers. The urn stands on a grassy hill worked in gold, green, blue, and beige chenille threads. Two small trees worked in chenille thread stand on either side of the urn; small flowers grow in the space between the trees and the urn. To the right and left of the urn are baskets filled with fruit and leaves. A rectangular section of ground fabric located in the center of the hill contains the signature line, which reads: "Wrought, by Betsey Davis. 1802." Above the hill is a garland of roses and leaves worked in red, gold, green, and blue threads, tied on either end by a bouquet of delicate, white flowers and blue and white ribbons. The garland swags downward and is brought back up in the center with a bouquet of the same flowers that appear on either end of the garland. Above each downward swag is a tiny red and gold flower tied by one gold loop. Below each swag, floating between the garland and the baskets of fruit on the ground below, is a carnation-like flower and four smaller flowers which look like pale pink pansies; these are tied together with a brown ribbon and arranged symmetrically. These small, floating bouquets are flanked by two other embroidered flowers which also appear to float between the garland and the hill below.

Stitches: backstitch, couched, fern, French knots, outline, satin, stem, straight
Label TextThis needlework picture was worked at Mary Balch's school in Providence, Rhode Island. Balch's school was one of several New England schools that produced distinctive pictorial needlework. Other examples attributed to this academy display the same type of signature block as well as similar chenille hillocks and trees, supporting the theory that students completed designs drawn by their teacher.

Characteristic neoclassic motifs include the blue and white fluted urn and the delicate rose garlands. Two baskets of fruit, which closely correspond to designs found in contemporary theorem paintings, complete the symmetrical composition.
ProvenanceAn unidentified Connecticut dealer found this picture in the possession of Betsey Davis' descendants in Providence, Rhode Island. Colonial Williamsburg purchased the picture from Leon F.S. Stark in 1970.