Embroidered sampler 1817

This Embroidered Sampler was created by Betsy P. Cross in the 1800s, using needlework on linen. Samplers such as this one were commonly produced in both Europe and America, functioning as demonstrations of skill and accomplishments for young women. The sampler’s didactic function reflects the social expectations of women at the time. Skillful needlework was a marker of gentility, indicating one’s social standing and suitability for marriage. Its presence in the Met is interesting in that it elevates a domestic craft object to the level of art. The museum, by exhibiting this work, makes a statement about the artistic merit and cultural significance of women’s traditional work. Studying objects like this requires us to look at period instruction manuals, women's diaries, and social histories to understand their original context. The meaning and value we ascribe to art objects are often contingent on social and institutional practices.