Return of Jephthah

Unknown

third quarter 17th century · Canvas worked with silk and metal thread; tent, Gobelin, satin, split, stem, knotted, straight, Ceylon, couching, and detached buttonhole stitch variations · European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

This Old Testament scene was probably drawn by a local artist for the young lady of rank who worked it with unusual skill and delicacy. As was frequent, he composed the picture from a variety of sources. The graceful figures of the daughter and her attendant are seen in other embroidered pictures of the period and must have come originally from an engraving, such as the scenes from the life of David by Martin de Vos and Johann Sadler, which provided the group of Roman warriors used here to represent the elders of Gilead.

Artist

Unknown

Date

third quarter 17th century

Medium

Canvas worked with silk and metal thread; tent, Gobelin, satin, split, stem, knotted, straight, Ceylon, couching, and detached buttonhole stitch variations

Culture

British

Department

European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Credit line

Bequest of Irwin Untermyer, 1973