Embroidered sampler 1807

This 1807 embroidered sampler, created by Julia Ann Fitch, is a testament to the tradition of needlework in American homes. The sampler, now housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, includes birth dates of the artist and her family members. With intricate stitching and colorful designs, the artwork showcases the skill and patience required for this form of textile art, a common practice for young women of the time to practice their needlework skills and document family lineage. The central image depicts figures in a garden setting, a popular motif in American samplers of the early 19th century, which often featured symbolic imagery relating to family, faith, and domesticity.