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Beadwork Picture, France, circa 1830
Beginning in the 17th century needleworkers have incorporated minute beads into their samplers and embroidered pictures, however it is far more common to find beads used to highlight an area than to create the entire image. Thousands of tiny richly-colored beads were sewn to the background fabric to form this handsome landscape scene. The subtle shading of the beads provides a wonderfully lush quality and the effect is quite charming. The scene consists of an impressively depicted stone farmhouse with a thatched roof, and perspectively, what looks like a church behind it. A man sits at a stone flowerbed across a dirt path, which winds back into a countryside setting. The azure blue beads pop brilliantly amongst the shades of green and brown. A baroque-style border was fully worked in beads, as well, to frame the work; and the piece itself remains in its elegantly carved gold leaf frame. The work is in very good condition with some loss beads.
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