Borduurlap van linnen c. 1880 - 1905

This linen sampler, likely from Industrieschool De Windroos, presents a study in pale blue embroidery on an off-white ground, bordered by lace. The composition is divided into distinct registers, each presenting different forms: straight lines, script letters, wave-like patterns, and numerals. The texture of the linen provides a subtle grid, contrasting with the smooth, fluid lines of the embroidered elements. The sampler format itself reflects the values and conventions of education. The structural repetition—rows of lines, letters, and numbers—is not merely decorative; it serves as an exercise in discipline and control, a visual manifestation of learning and repetition. We might consider this piece as a microcosm of societal expectations, where women were taught to master these skills, reflecting the broader cultural codes of domesticity and refinement. Note the carefully executed stitches, each a deliberate mark in the act of forming letters and numbers. They underscore the role of handcraft within a domestic setting. The very act of its creation destabilizes the boundary between art and craft, challenging traditional hierarchies.