Stoplap van katoen waarin met veelkleurige zijde negen stoppen van verschillende grootte zijn gewerkt en in het midden een voorstelling in petit point omgeven door kronen en kransen met initialen, ANNO 1837 1837

This cotton 'Stoplap' from 1837, embroidered with silk by Maria Egersman, presents a captivating arrangement of nine distinct, colourful patterns. The eye is immediately drawn to the patchwork composition, where geometric shapes of varying sizes are meticulously arranged, and where a petit point scene surrounded by wreaths and crowns is located at the centre. The artwork's structure invites a semiotic reading. Each pattern functions as a signifier, potentially encoding personal or cultural meanings. The central scene, framed by decorative elements and initials, seems to denote identity and status. The careful arrangement and contrast of the geometric and representational elements, suggest an engagement with the formal and symbolic languages of the time. The artist employs a visual grammar to construct a field of meaning through pattern and image. The materiality of the silk on cotton adds texture and depth, enhancing the visual impact of the piece. Consider how this interplay of form and material encourages us to decode its underlying structure, offering insights into the artist's world and the cultural codes embedded within this textile.