Mary Ann Healey 1809

Description

Samplers come in a dazzling variety of shapes, colors, and styles. Prior to 1830, one can find amazing examples of creative needle art that go far beyond the basic alphabet and verse one associates with samplers. The boldly colored, stylized birds on this extraordinary English sampler immediately command your attention. The masterful execution of shading in the trees and the use of perspective in the house in the lower scene, are very sophisticated elements of design. By Blending cross stitches over one and two threads of linen, Miss Healey has given the house a great sense of substance and depth. Virtually unfaded color and this combination of sophisticated design (that is still naive enough to be considered folk art) make this a spectacular example of schoolgirl needle art. Stitches used include cross, back, stem, satin and tent. The birds and floral sprays flanking the verse are worked freely, but the majority of the sampler is executed in counted cross stitch. On 35 count linen, the finished sampler will measure approximately 19″x22″. It is recommended for more advanced needleworkers.