Embroidery c. 1936

This floral embroidery was stitched by Eugene Croe, though the date it was made is unknown. I’m thinking about how the artist decided which thread to use, and the way they carefully placed each stitch. The vase is red, and the flowers are pink, white and blue. It’s a gentle color palette. I love the way the blue flowers droop down. Imagine the patience and time that must have gone into this work. Was it a labor of love, a quiet act of rebellion, or a way to pass the time? Each stitch feels intentional. It makes me think about the act of repetition, a kind of meditation. It reminds me a bit of the work of contemporary artists like Louise Bourgeois and Yayoi Kusama, who use repetition in their work. Embroidery, like painting, is a form of mark-making, a way to translate feelings and ideas into a tangible form. I see this work as part of an ongoing dialogue between artists across time, inspiring each other to create. It’s a reminder that art can be found in the most unexpected places.