W O M A N / As some fair violet,loveliest of the glade / Sheds its mild fragrance on the lonely shade / Withdraws its modest head from public sight / Nor courts the sun nor seeks the glare of light / Should some rude hand profanely dare intrude / And bear its beauties from its native wood / Expos'd abroad its languid colors fly / Its form decays and all its odours die / So woman born to dignify retreat / Unknown to flourish and unseen be great / To give domestic life its sweetest charm / With softness polish and with virtue warm / Fearful of fame unwilling to be known / Should seek but Heaven's applauses and her own / Hers be the task to seek the lonely cell / Where modest want and silent anguish dwell / Raise the weak head sustain the feeble knees / Cheer the cold heart and chase their dire disease / The splendid deeds which only seek a name / Are paid their just reward in present fame / But know the awful all-disclosing day / The long arrear of secret worth shall pay / Applauding saints shall hear with fond regard / And He who witness'd here shall there rereward / Ann Wall / 1836 //

Maker

Wall, Ann

Date made

1836

Origin

England (?)

Stitches

Cross, Satin, French knots

In Bolton & Co.

No

Foundation Cloth

Linen

Embroidery Thread

Silk

Predominent Motif

Poem entitled Woman by Hannah More (born 1745 in Hanham, England), bordered by a meandering flowering vine of flowers, buds and leaves.

Inscription

W O M A N / As some fair violet,loveliest of the glade / Sheds its mild fragrance on the lonely shade / Withdraws its modest head from public sight / Nor courts the sun nor seeks the glare of light / Should some rude hand profanely dare intrude / And bear its beauties from its native wood / Expos'd abroad its languid colors fly / Its form decays and all its odours die / So woman born to dignify retreat / Unknown to flourish and unseen be great / To give domestic life its sweetest charm / With softness polish and with virtue warm / Fearful of fame unwilling to be known / Should seek but Heaven's applauses and her own / Hers be the task to seek the lonely cell / Where modest want and silent anguish dwell / Raise the weak head sustain the feeble knees / Cheer the cold heart and chase their dire disease / The splendid deeds which only seek a name / Are paid their just reward in present fame / But know the awful all-disclosing day / The long arrear of secret worth shall pay / Applauding saints shall hear with fond regard / And He who witness'd here shall there rereward / Ann Wall / 1836 //

Length Without Frame

51.50 cm

Width Without Frame

48.25 cm

Historical Owner

Purchased

Owner

Private collector

Owner Private

Laurel Gabel