MFA 59.22, Embroidered picture by Ann Peartree, America (1739)

Artifact Information

Museum of Fine Arts, Boston 59.22. 27.7 x 23 cm.

Linen plain weave, embroidered with wool and silk, (brown, blue and white silk in tent stitch).

Grassy, hilly landscape with seated figure of a woman holding a bouquet of flowers in left hand and a sickle in her right, possibly Summer; oak trees left and right. In foreground, Cupid, dogs, lamb, bird and flowers. Narrow strip of finer linen sewn across bottom,embroidered with blue silk in cross stitch "Ann Peartree 1739". Faded, true colors on back, some crewels gone in small areas..[1].

MFA 59.22 Embroidered picture. © Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

Summary of results

The samples were taken from the objects for dye analysis on 2/24/2011 by textile conservator Masumi Kataoka. All of the samples were taken from the reverse side of the textiles, which were considered to have been little exposed to light. The brightness of the original colors was still seen there. Samples were sent to Prof. Richard Laursen for analysis at Boston University.

It was found that weld was used for yellow, cochineal for various shades of red, lichen for a bordeaux red and young fustic for a brown color.

Dyes Analysis of MFA 44.750, by Prof. Richard Laursen, Boston University

References

[1] http://https://www.mfa.org/collections/object/fragment-with-wrestling-lions-and-harpies-66254