Needlework picture (Silkwork picture)

Description

This is a silk needlework picture on a silk moiré ground. It was worked in 1752 by Sarah Wistar of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Winterthur has another similar needlework picture, also worked by her. Sarah's pictures would be anonymous without the inscriptions on the back that reveal their story. Sarah embroidered these pictures when she was fourteen years old while attending Ann Marsh's School in Philadelphia. Later in life, she gave them as remembrances to her two great-nieces, Rebecca and Catharine, when they were probably just learning to stitch. Sarah documented these gifts on the backboard of each picture, and a later family member added further information about both the maker and the recipients.