RSN.95

Object name

Date made

Second half 19th century

Place made

Description

Berlin wool work panel depicting the biblical scene of Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well.

Content description

Berlin wool work picture from the second half of the 19th century, depicting Jesus Christ and the Samaritan woman at the well, taken from the Gospel of John 4:4-42. Chris sits on a rock next to a well, while the woman stands at the well, holding a water bucket. Both figures have a hand to their chest and a large urn sits in front of them. In the background are palm trees and, in the distance, buildings. The embroidery is worked entirely in tent stitches in bright colours typical of Berlin wool work.

Berlin wool work was a popular style of embroidery in Europe and the Americas from the early decades of the 19th century through the end of the century. It is conventionally worked with colourful wool threads on a canvas grid, usually either in tent stitch or in cross stitch. Berlin wool work was often based on inexpensive and widely distributed paper patterns. Because Berlin wool work uses simple stitches and relied on inexpensive materials and patterns, it was accessible to embroiderers from a wide range of income and skill levels.

Dimensions

height: 72cm
width: 59cm

Materials

Stitches

Techniques

Motifs

Catalogue number

RSN.95
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