Needlework picture (Silkwork picture)

Description

This is a painted needlework picture with silk and chenille threads, wool yarns, and watercolors on a silk ground. It was worked between 1813 and 1814 by Eulalia M. Keating of Philadelphia using a design called "The Ascension of Christ" that was drawn, painted, and signed by artist Godfrey Folwell. Needlework was often taught by widows or younger women before they married, but sometimes such teaching was a family affair. Elizabeth Folwell operated an embroidery school in Philadelphia before her children were born. The patterns for her embroidered pictures were drawn and painted by her husband, Samuel, an artist and engraver. Their son Godfrey must have shown early artistic promise, as he began drawing some of the same patterns after the death of this father in 1813, when he was 14 years old and his mother resumed teaching to support the family. Both father and son drew patterns for other teachers as well. The current glass mat bears the inscription: "M. M. KEATTING" but appears to be only 100 years old and probably replaced a damaged one. The original glass mat 1985.0096 B is printed in gold with the inscription: "M. M. KEATTING ASCENSION OF CHRIST WORKED in the 12th YEAR of her AGE"