Embroidered sampler 1808

This embroidered sampler, now at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, was created by Mary Bower, who was born in 1796. The muted palette and the texture of the stitched threads create a visually complex surface. This materiality invites a close inspection of its structural elements. The composition is divided into horizontal registers, with the architecture of a house at the base, bordered by trees and flowers, and text at the top. The carefully stitched geometric patterns, and floral motifs reflect a structured approach, yet the unevenness of the stitches and the irregularities in the patterns introduce a sense of the handmade. The form of the house, rendered with a simple facade, shows a directness that reflects the values of early American life. Bower’s sampler uses a visual language that balances order and imperfection. This piece exemplifies how the formal elements of art can intersect with personal and cultural meanings.