Embroidered Picture - Render Therefore Unto Caesar

Maker Elizabeth Bowne

Period1861

MediumPlied wool and silk threads on canvas

DimensionsSight: 38.5 × 26.25 in. (97.8 × 66.7 cm)

SignedThe work includes "ELIZABETH BOWNE 1861" on reverse painted glass below the embroidered scene.

ClassificationsNeedlework

Credit LineGift of C. Rudolph Ellis, 1944

Object number1987

DescriptionA large-scale embroidered picture on sturdy cotton canvas ground, worked in plied wool thread, plied silk thread, and fine chenille silk thread in shades of red, rose, pink, dark green, medium green, light green, dark blue, medium blue, light blue, dark brown, medium brown, tan, cream white, medium gray, light gray, and black. The scene depicts Jesus Christ standing on a stone step within a temple setting, dressed in red robes with a white cloak. Five figures flank Christ. Four appear to be Pharisees, robed in elaborate garments with two wearing red and white headdresses and two wearing draped scarves. The fifth figure, bareheaded and in simple robes, standing at Christ's right shoulder, may be the apostle Peter. Christ gestures with his left hand to the coin held by one Pharisee, while pointing upwards towards Heaven with his right hand. All garments, draperies, and architectural details are worked in wool cross stitch. The faces, hands, and skin of the figures are worked in fine silk cross stitch. Hair, beards, and even eyebrows are worked in fine silk chenille thread. The embroidery is mounted under a reverse-painted glass panel with a wide black border and a narrow inner gilt edge. Along the bottom of the glass is painted in gilt italic lettering "Render therefore unto CAESAR the things which are CAESARS / and unto GOD the things which are GOD'S / ELIZABETH BOWNE 1861." Needlework and glass are in their original gilded wooden frame.
Curatorial RemarksReligous subjects for needlework projects were greatly popular during the mid nineteenth century, particularly scenes depicting the life of Christ. For her embroidery, Elizabeth Bowne chose a striking image illustrating the New Testament verse Matthew 22:21. The The Pharisees (religious Jewish conservatives), hoping to entrap Christ into publicly criticizing the Roman emperor Caesar, questioned him whether it was lawful for observant Jews to pay taxes to Rome. Christ asked to see a Roman coin, then asked whose image was depicted. When the Pharisees answered that is was Caesar, Christ responded by saying, "Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's, and unto God the things which are God's." The image, most likely based on a contemporary print source, was commercially produced in the form of a colored grid indicating proper yarn color and placement.NotesElizabeth V. Bowne was born in September 1845 to Manalapan, Monmouth County, New Jersey, farmer William C. Bowne (1818 - 1905) and Sarah A. Vanderveer (1821 - 1890). Elizabeth married Charles B. Ellis (1834 - 1901) on 18 April 1866. Charles was a successful Freehold butcher and prominent businessman. The couple had three children and were members of the Freehold Reformed Church. Elizabeth and Charles were interred at Maplewood Cemetery in Freehold. Elizabeth was sixteen when she completed her imposing needlework picture. While many young girls selected popular religious scenes for their needlework pieces during the mid 19th century, few chose to work on ones quite as large as Elizabeth's massive canvas. Although the Association's collection of annual catalogs for the Freehold Young Ladies Seminary is far from complete, it is known that Elizabeth V. Bowne attended this prestigious private school for girls in Freehold, Monmouth County, during the school year 1861-62. The Seminary does not appear to have offered needlework as part of its curriculum. Elizabeth most likely produced her imposing work under the tutelage of an unidentified local instructress. Why she chose such a large and challenging needlework piece remains a mystery. The materials such as canvas and the extensive amount of yarn needed for the work would have been an expensive investment, as was the elaborate framing after the work was completed. The piece is certainly a testament to Elizabeth's persistence, determination, and needlework skills. The Association also owns a family register sampler worked by Elizabeth's mother Sarah Ann Vanderveer Bowne (1821 - 1890), accession number 2061.2, and a small sampler by her grandmother Jane Smock Vanderveer (1791 - 1871), accession number 2061.1. The donor, Charles Rudolph Ellis (1900 - 1982), was a grandson of the embroiderer.

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