Stoplap van veelkleurige zijde op katoen. 1843

This is a sampler made with multicolored silk on cotton in 1843 by an anonymous maker from the Burgerweeshuis Amsterdam orphanage. These samplers are often viewed as simple craft exercises, but they offer a fascinating glimpse into the lives and experiences of marginalized individuals. It's a testament to the labor and skill involved in creating such a piece, especially considering the circumstances of the orphanage. The geometric shapes and initials embroidered on the cloth, may represent the makers' desire to exert control over their identity and environment, even within the confines of the orphanage. In a time when women's work was often undervalued, textiles provided a means of creative expression and economic survival. Orphanages like Burgerweeshuis were set up to instill good behavior in children who needed help. This sampler, made by an unknown child in the orphanage, reminds us to consider the emotional lives of people whose stories often go unheard.