Eunice Lincoln
Let Virtue be a Guide to thee
1793
Physical Qualities
Linen ground, silk embroidery threads, 25 1/2 x 21 3/8 in. (64.8 x 54.3 cm.)
Credit Line
Gift of Mrs. Francis White, from the Collection of Mrs. Miles White, Jr.
Object Number
1973.76.346
Eunice Lincoln’s large and highly complex sampler represents an amalgam of subjects found in Rhode Island samplers from Newport, Providence, and Warren. The maxim Let virtue be a Guide to thee figured prominently in samplers produced at Mary Balch’s (1762–1831) school in Providence—the most elite school for young ladies in Rhode Island. The geometric middle border and large shamrocks strongly suggest the influence of Martha Pease Davis (1743–1806), a widow who kept a school in Warren (c. 1790–1806). Arches, elegantly dressed figures, and stately buildings from Newport samplers are also present, but these charming scenes are secondary in importance to the moral quoted from English poet Alexander Pope, Virtue outshines the stars[,] outlives the tomb climbs/up to heaven and finds a peacful [sic] home.
Baltimore Museum of Art by gift, 1973; Nancy Brewster (Mrs. Frances White) by inheritance; Virginia Purviance Bonsal (Mrs. Miles White, Jr.).
BMA, 'The White Collection,' March 19 - June 2, 1974.
William Voss Elder III, BMA, 'American Folk Art From the Baltimore Museum of Art and Local Collections, April 4 - June 18, 1978, cat. 116, p. 18.
Susan Cumins, BMA, 'Period Needlework in America, 1739-1865,' 1978, cat. 8; traveling exhibition circulated to Annapolis, Elkton, Salisbury, Columbia, Leonardtown, Stevenson, and Chestertown, Md.
Betty Ring, Rhode Island Historical Society, Providence, 'Rhode Island Needlework, 1730-1830,' (originally titled, 'Let Virtue Be a Guide to Thee: Needlework in the Education of Rhode Island Women, 1730-1830'), no. 115, p. 231, ill; exhibited at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, July 19-September 23, 1984.
Anita Jones, BMA, 'The Accomplished Stitch: Samplers and Silk Embroideries from the Collection,' May 11 - July 20, 1997.
Anita Jones, The Baltimore Museum of Art, "Lessons Learned: American Schoolgirl Embroideries," November 23, 2014-May 10, 2015.
William Voss Elder III, BMA, 'American Folk Art From the Baltimore Museum of Art and Local Collections, April 4 - June 18, 1978, cat. 116, p. 18.
Susan Cumins, BMA, 'Period Needlework in America, 1739-1865,' 1978, cat. 8; traveling exhibition circulated to Annapolis, Elkton, Salisbury, Columbia, Leonardtown, Stevenson, and Chestertown, Md.
Betty Ring, Rhode Island Historical Society, Providence, 'Rhode Island Needlework, 1730-1830,' (originally titled, 'Let Virtue Be a Guide to Thee: Needlework in the Education of Rhode Island Women, 1730-1830'), no. 115, p. 231, ill; exhibited at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, July 19-September 23, 1984.
Anita Jones, BMA, 'The Accomplished Stitch: Samplers and Silk Embroideries from the Collection,' May 11 - July 20, 1997.
Anita Jones, The Baltimore Museum of Art, "Lessons Learned: American Schoolgirl Embroideries," November 23, 2014-May 10, 2015.
Ethel Stanwood Bolton and Eva Johnston Coe," American Samplers, Boston: The Massachusetts Society of The Colonial Dames of America", 1921, p. 61.
Betty Ring, 'The Balch school in Providence, Rhode Island,' The Magazine Antiques (April 1975), p. 673, pl. VIII.
Inscribed: Embroidered in center: 'June 30/ 1794'; Embroidered below pictorial center: 'Let virtue be a Guide to thee . Eunice L'; 'Eunice/Lincoln's/work'; 'Virtue outshines the stars outlives the tomb climbs/ up to heaven and finds a peacful (sic) home. Mr. Pope' [Note: Old style 's' appears as 'f' in the several words: 'outfines' and 'ftars'.]
Maker maybe at Martha Pease Davis School or Mary Balch's School
Eunice Lincoln
1779–1851
American, 1780-1852
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