Physical Qualities
Silk ground; wool, silk, and metallic-wrapped embroidery threads; paint, pencil, cotton backing, reproduction églomisé mat based on original, original gilded wood frame
, Sight: 18 1/2 × 14 1/4 in. (47 × 36.2 cm.); Framed (Original): 26 × 22 × 2 3/4 in. (66 × 55.9 × 7 cm.)
Credit Line
Gift of Emma D. Herring
Object Number
1925.26.1
In 1831, the Carmelite Order in America established a school for
girls in Baltimore. A surviving prospectus lists an impressive 26 subjects, including “Plain and Ornamental Needle Work, Embroidery in gold and silver, Tapestry, Lace Work, Bead Work, &c.” Premiums were awarded annually to pupils who excelled in their respective classes. On August 10, 1850, the Catholic Mirror announced that Susan V. Hinkle had won that year’s award for drawing and painting. In 1851, the same source noted the school’s display of “Tapestry, Embroidery and other kinds of fancy and plain needle work which were greatly admired by the ladies present.” Perhaps among these works was Hinkle’s richly embroidered version of Christ and the Samaritan woman at the well, the only known surviving embroidery from this school.
The Baltimore Museum of Art by gift, 1925; Emma D. Herring.
Anita Jones, The Baltimore Museum of Art, "Lessons Learned: American Schoolgirl Embroideries," November 23, 2014-May 10, 2015.
Gloria Seaman Allen, The Maryland Historical Society, "Maryland Schoolgirl Samplers and Embroideries 1738-1860," April 15 - November 15, 2007.
Anita Jones, The Baltimore Museum of Art, "The Accomplished Stitch: American Samplers and Silk Embroideries from the Collection," May, 11, 1997-July, 20, 1997, no. 18.
Gloria Seaman Allen, The Maryland Historical Society, "Maryland Schoolgirl Samplers and Embroideries 1738-1860," April 15 - November 15, 2007.
Anita Jones, The Baltimore Museum of Art, "The Accomplished Stitch: American Samplers and Silk Embroideries from the Collection," May, 11, 1997-July, 20, 1997, no. 18.
Gloria Seaman Allen, "A Maryland Sampling: Girlhood Embroidery 1738-1860", Baltimore, Maryland:The Press at the Maryland Historical Society, 2007, p. 240, illus.
Betty Ring, "Girlhood Embroidery: American Samplers & Pictorial Needlework 1650-1850", New York: Alfred A Knopf, 1993, p. 524, ftnt. 3.
Inscribed: Written in gilt in block letters on the original eglomise mat of the needlework: 'SUSANN V. HINKLE--CHRIST at the WELL. CARMELITE ACADY.'
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