Art historians and general audiences are starting to appreciate the unique needlework creations of the past more and more. Clear proof of the growing interest for this beautiful material is the popularity of our exhibition, Painted with Silk: The Art of Early American Embroidery. An average of almost 5,000 visitors have viewed the exquisite needlework each week since the installation’s opening in December. Girls as young as 8 years old created samplers and embroideries, providing both a visually stunning display for viewers and an intimate experience of family, school, and culture of American society from 1735 to 1835. The exhibition invites visitors to compare the artists’ lived experiences with their own.
To showcase the significance of these artists’ accomplishments, we shared the girls’ names, ages, hometowns, and schools in the labels. The sophisticated embroideries offer a glimpse into the girls’ lives, highlighting their relationships with parents and teachers and the expectation to act virtuously—by putting others’ needs ahead of their own dreams and desires.
Since students and teachers worked closely to complete these stunning works of art, we designed the exhibition with school groups in mind. The embroideries reflect historical views about gender roles, the influence of religion, and the moral expectations reinforced by educators.
To connect the show to today’s world and to emphasize the continuity of the practice, we included 11 embroideries by contemporary artist Elaine Reichek. Her samplers borrow designs and themes from historic embroideries but use them to question older works’ assumptions about gender, race, class, and ethnicity.
Walking through the galleries of this exhibition provides a memorable visual experience. The subtle power of these works and their arrangement in the galleries create an intimate environment that invites visitors to stop and pay attention. By looking at these embroideries, one discovers the skillful balance between delicacy and precision that went into making them. It has been an inspiring moment for me—and a great reminder that making things with one’s hands is beneficial for our mind and general well-being.
The beauty of these fragile artworks is meaningful on so many levels. In today’s society where digital technology and speed influence most aspects of our lives, I wish we could employ more delicacy and precision for our daily activities—the kind that comes from taking the time to create things with our hands, with patience and dedication. Like a message in a bottle from another time that was brought to our shore, these 1700s and 1800s embroideries have much to teach us. I hope you will take the time to read their messages at the DIA.
