Plain as this canvas was, as plain we find / Unletter'd, unadorned the female mind / No fine ideas fill the vacant soul, / No graceful coloring animates the whole. / By close attention, carefully in wrought, / Fair education paints the pleasing thought, / Inserts the curious lines on proper ground / Completes the whole and scatters flowers around / My heart exults while to the attentive eye / The curious needle spreads the enamell'd dye / While varying shades the pleasing back beguile / My friends approve me and my parents joy. / Mary Holbrook aged 10 years . //

Maker

Holbrook, Mary (age 10)

Date made

mid 1800's

Origin

New England US

Stitches

Cross, Eyelet, Satin,

In Bolton & Co.

No

Foundation Cloth

Linen

Embroidery Thread

Silk

Predominent Motif

4 alphabets: uppercase script missing J. Various cross bands. Inner rectangle of reversing arcaded strawberries and leaves. Outer reversing arcaded carnation and tulip border all four sides.

Inscription

Plain as this canvas was, as plain we find / Unletter'd, unadorned the female mind / No fine ideas fill the vacant soul, / No graceful coloring animates the whole. / By close attention, carefully in wrought, / Fair education paints the pleasing thought, / Inserts the curious lines on proper ground / Completes the whole and scatters flowers around / My heart exults while to the attentive eye / The curious needle spreads the enamell'd dye / While varying shades the pleasing back beguile / My friends approve me and my parents joy. / Mary Holbrook aged 10 years . //

Length Without Frame

20"

Width Without Frame

16 3/4"

Owner

Private collector

Owner Private

Anne B. Pierson, M.D.