Needlework Picture, "La Chatte Merveilleuse" by Nancy Myrick

DateProbably 1820-1825

Artist/Maker Nancy Myrick (1792-?)

MediumSilk embroidery threads with watercolor and ink on silk (fiber identification by eye) in a wooden frame

DimensionsActual: OH 11 1/16" x OW 8 1/2" (OH 28.1 cm. x OW 21.6 cm.) Framed: OH 12 1/2" x OW 10"

Credit LineGift of Mr. and Mrs. Theodore T. Gore

Object number1983.601.1

DescriptionThis is a rectangular needlework picture executed in shades of blue, green, brown, and cream silk embroidery threads and watercolor on a silk ground. At the center of the scene is a girl with painted hair, face, and arms holding a white, painted cat. The girl's gown is embroidered. The girl sits on an embroidered tree stump in front of an embroidered tree. A grape vine grows in front of the tree stump. In the background is a copse of painted trees. Beneath the rectangular picture is the inked caption "La Chatte Merveilleuse."
The picture is in a wooden frame.

Stitches: French knot, backstitch, outline, and satin
Label TextThe subject of this needlework picture was likely taken from the 1810 production of la Petite Cendrillon ou la Chatte merveilleuse.
InscribedIn ink in the lower margin of the silk ground is "La Chatte Merveilleuse."
MarkingsIn ink in script on a paper scrap affixed to the backboard is the following: "This peice [sic] o[f] Embroidery was/done by Miss [N]ancy Myrick (Your/great Grand [mot]her at the school of Miss M...Portland Maine,/about the...1825/...25th I...5" (brackets enclose probable but now missing lettering; ellipses indicate torn sections of the label). Two modern labels below the preceding basically repeat the information found on the earlier paper.
ProvenanceOwnership prior to donor is unknown.

History of Maker:
It is likely that our needleworker is the Nancy Myrick that was born on August 21, 1792 to William Myrick and Jane Mitchell of North Yarmouth, Maine. Nancy Myrick appears on a list of students who attended the Misses Martin's School in Portland, Maine. On January 24, 1826, Nancy advertised her own academy in North Yarmouth, Maine. Nancy married John Shaw of Portland, Maine on October 2, 1827, and died on July 29, 1855.