Prudence Punderson Rossiter
Prudence Punderson Rossiter | |
|---|---|
 The First, Second, and Last Scene of Mortality by Prudence Punderson | |
| Born | 1758  |
| Died | 16 September 1784 (aged 25–26) |
| Spouse(s) | Timothy Wells Rossiter |
| Parent(s) |
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Prudence Punderson Rossiter (July 28, 1758[citation needed] – September 16, 1784) was an American artist known for her needlework pictures.
Birth and family
[edit]Originally from Preston, Connecticut,[1][2] Rossiter was the first of eight children of Ebenezer Punderson and Prudence Geer Punderson; her father was a Loyalist during the American Revolutionary War, and as a result the family's goods were confiscated in 1778. The Pundersons fled to Long Island, where they lived in reduced circumstances for the duration of the war.
Work and illness
[edit]Prudence turned to domestic work to earn money. In 1780 she overcame a severe illness that threatened her artistic ability;[3] a letter to her sister from this time survives, speaking of a "gathering" on her breast that required lancing.[4]
Marriage and death
[edit]On October 20, 1783, she married Timothy Wells Rossiter; their daughter Sophia was born on July 18, 1784, and Prudence died on September 16 of the same year. She was interred in the Maple Cemetery in Berlin, Connecticut.[3]
Art
[edit]Rossiter produced a number of needlework pictures, including twelve depictions of the twelve apostles inspired by print sources. She is best known, however, for the self-portrait The First, Second, and Last Scene of Morality, completed around 1775. This work portrays a young woman, the artist herself, seated at a table in a finely-furnished parlor. To one side is a baby in a cradle, being cared for by a black servant. To the other is a coffin, marked "PP", sitting on a table.[3]
The piece is owned by the Connecticut Historical Society.[1][5] The same organization owns her other needlework pieces as well as her letters, poetry, drawings, and diary.[3][6] They provide a rare glimpse into the life of a young woman of the period.[7] Rossiter's embroidery is the most-reproduced piece in the Society's collection.[8]
Elements of Rossiter's art have been incorporated into the work of artist Kiki Smith.[6] Her needlework has been discussed by Laurel Thatcher Ulrich.[9]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "In the Words of Women » "The First, Second and Last Scenes of Mortality"". Retrieved Mar 20, 2019.
- ^ "Chipstone Article". www.chipstone.org. Retrieved Mar 20, 2019.
- ^ a b c d Gerard C. Wertkin (2 August 2004). Encyclopedia of American Folk Art. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-135-95614-1.
- ^ "In the Words of Women » Punderson, Prudence". Retrieved Mar 20, 2019.
- ^ "Prudence Punderson, 18th c Needlework Artist, Connecticut Historical Society". Apr 17, 2015. Retrieved Mar 20, 2019 – via YouTube.
- ^ a b "Prudence Punderson, Ordinary Woman, Extraordinary Artist: Needlework in Connecticut | Connecticut History | a CTHumanities Project". Retrieved Mar 20, 2019.
- ^ "The First, Second, and Last Scene of Mortality". Retrieved Mar 20, 2019.
- ^ "Connecticut Needlework: Women, Art, and Family, 1740–1840". samplings.com. Retrieved Mar 20, 2019.
- ^ "Ulrich tells the stories of historical women". May 9, 2008. Retrieved Mar 20, 2019.
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