Sampler c. 1938

This sampler was created in 1819 by Harriet P. Sublett, likely using cotton and silk threads on linen. Note how the needlework is divided into distinct registers, each with a specific function. From the alphabet and numerals at the top, to the floral bands, house, and the textual aphorism below. Consider the structure here; it functions as both a display of skill and a moral lesson. The composition, with its ordered rows, reflects a structured approach to both education and virtue. The placement of the house and the tree at the center suggests themes of domesticity and growth. The use of simple, repetitive stitches, as seen in the rendering of the house, serves to emphasize precision and restraint. Each element functions almost as a sign, pointing to broader cultural values about learning, nature, and the role of women in early 19th-century society. The sampler is an invitation to explore the layered meanings embedded in the most subtle aspects of the artwork.