Needlework Memorial for Mrs. Mary Williams and Mrs. Alice Pitcher by Unknown Maker
Dateca. 1805
MediumSilk, chenille, and paint on silk in a gilt wood frame
DimensionsOverall (Unframed H x W): 17 1/2 x 17 1/2in. (44.5 x 44.5cm)
Overall (Framed H x W): 19 1/8 x 19 1/8in. (48.6 x 48.6cm)
Credit LineGift of the John D. Rockefeller, 3rd, Fund, Inc., through the generosity and interest of Mrs. John D. Rockefeller, 3rd, and members of the family
Object number1979.604.3
DescriptionThis square needlework mourning picture shows a large, central monument with an obelisk. To the left of the monument sits a mourning figure. The left edge of the picture is bordered with a large column, and the right is filled with a weeping willow.The monument features an obelisk, flanked by urns, on a tall, rectangular pedestal. The obelisk is outlined in black, and the black sections are outlined with a single cream thread stretched across each shape. The flanking urns are worked in satin stitches in the direction of the shape of the urn. The lids have flame finials. The pedestal has heavy moldings on both the top and bottom, shown with thick sections of black thread stretched across the width of the pedestal. Like the outlines of the obelisk, the black moldings are lined with single cream threads stretched across. At the center of the pedestal is a square reserve with the stitched inscription, “Consecrated to the remains/of/Mrs. Mary Williams/who died June, 1788, in the/66th year of her age./And/Mrs. Alice Pitcher/who died Dec. 23d 1805, aged/67 Years, 5 Months, and 21 Days.” The inscription reserve is flanked by gadrooned pilasters. The gadrooning is shown by threads stretched across the length of the pilasters over satin stitches. The pedestal sits on a small base under significant black molding. The front of the base bears the stitched inscription, “Stay, gentle spirit, stay. Can nature find/No charms to hold the once unfetter’d mind?” In both inscription reserves, the penciled guidelines are still visible.
To the left of the monument, a female mourning sits on a tree root. She is shown wearing a dark cream gown with black, net sleeves and a net shawl over her head. Some folds of the gown are outlined in black thread. The net sleeves are portrayed by stretching black thread across the width of the arms in a cross-hatch pattern. The net shawl is portrayed in the same way, but with the cross hatching loosely following the drape of the fabric. The figure is holding a light cream handkerchief. Her hands, face, and brown hair are painted.
A large pillar stands at the left edge of the picture stitched in dark brown chenille with the details worked in black chenille. Though the column does not match an official order, it is similar to a Doric column. It has a large, plain base with a roped molding and acanthus leafs. The shaft of the column is gadrooned. The capital is relatively plain as well, with some roped molding.
To the right of and behind the monument are two large weeping willows. The trunks of the trees are worked in brown satin stitches with cream threads stretched across the width of the trunk in a cross-hatch pattern. For the leafs, sections of dark green satin stitches act as a base for backstitched or fly stitched leafs in light green and gold.
The ground of the scene is worked in both chenille and silk in shades of green and brown. The hill beneath the monument and one of the small hills at the bottom right are worked in chenille. The ground beneath the column, the mourner, and the willow tree and at the bottom corners of the scene are worked in silk. Along the horizon and at the bases of the column and the tree are sections of flame-like, golden grass. The light blue sky is painted.
Ground: at the base of the tree, brown grass that looks like fire. Various shades of brown and green used for ground, silk at bottom corners, around tree, and around girl, basically the only chenille is under the monument
The picture is not behind a mat. It is framed in a gilded wood frame with simple moldings.
STITCHES: Fly, satin
Label TextAs mourning pictures became common school activities, girls sometimes reached into the past to find a family member to memorialize. This memorial illustrates that practice with the seventeen-year gap between the dates of death of the two women. It may even have been made years after the later date, since Mrs. Alice Pitcher, the wife of Captain John Pitcher of Cranston, Rhode Island, died on December 22, 1804 rather than December 23, 1805. It's likely that the granddaughter of the women named on the plinth created this memorial.
Inscribed“Consecrated to the remains/of/Mrs. Mary Williams/who died June, 1788, in the/66th year of her age./And/Mrs. Alice Pitcher/who died Dec. 23d 1805, aged/67 Years, 5 Months, and 21 Days.” And “Stay, gentle spirit, stay. Can nature find/No charms to hold the once unfetter’d mind?”
ProvenanceBy descent to Mary Alice Haslehurst (1858-1942), likely through her mother’s family;
Sold to Abby Aldrich Rockefeller for use in Bassett Hall, 1934;
Give to CWF, 1979.
Late 18th, early 19th century
