Copied
Alice Eugenia Ligon, Embroidered Garment, ca. 1949, embroidered muslin, cotton crochet; pencil; cotton rick-rack trim, 43 3⁄4 x 38 1⁄2 in. (111.1 x 97.8 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Herbert Waide Hemphill, Jr., 1989.78.2
Copied
Artwork Details
- Title
- Embroidered Garment
- Artist
- Date
- ca. 1949
- Location
- Dimensions
- 43 3⁄4 x 38 1⁄2 in. (111.1 x 97.8 cm.)
- Credit Line
- Gift of Herbert Waide Hemphill, Jr.
- Mediums Description
- embroidered muslin, cotton crochet; pencil; cotton rick-rack trim
- Classifications
- Subjects
- Figure group
- Figure group
- Animal
- Landscape — tree
- Allegory — life
- Religion — Old Testament — Eve
- Religion — Old Testament — Adam
- History — United States — discovery of United States
- Object — flower
- Object — written matter
- Object Number
- 1989.78.2
Artwork Description
Born in Boone County, Missouri, Ligon stayed in the area her whole life, working as a telephone operator and hospital attendant while raising at least five children. Ligon was admitted to a state hospital in Fulton, Missouri, on two occasions. Records suggest that she made this gown during her first stay, when she was interested in sewing, crocheting, and quilting. She gave it as a Christmas gift to her children to remember her while she was away.
Exhibitions
May 31, 2024–January 5, 2025
The artists in Subversive, Skilled, Sublime: Fiber Art by Women mastered and subverted the everyday materials of cotton, felt, and wool to create deeply personal artworks.