untitled sampler, Rosa Andreu (1800s)

During the 18th and 19th centuries, the creation of samplers as educational exercises became a common practice among girls from wealthy families in Europe and the Americas. Many young girls were taught to sew by the age of five, and needlework was part of their studies at school. Samplers helped young girls improve their needlework by teaching them new stitches and motifs, but they also reinforced other educational priorities, such as learning the alphabet and memorizing Bible verses. Therefore, samplers demonstrated a young woman’s knowledge as well as her sewing abilities. In this example, Rosa Andreu reveals her needlework skills with the range of patterns, techniques, figural and other decorative elements that she includes.