Embroidered Garment

Alice Eugenia Ligon, Embroidered Garment, ca. 1949, embroidered muslin, cotton crochet; pencil; cotton rick-rack trim, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Herbert Waide Hemphill, Jr., 1989.78.2
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

Artwork Details

Title
Embroidered Garment
Artist
Date
ca. 1949
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
43 3⁄4 x 38 1⁄2 in. (111.1 x 97.8 cm.)
Credit Line
Gift of Herbert Waide Hemphill, Jr.
Mediums
Mediums Description
embroidered muslin, cotton crochet; pencil; cotton rick-rack trim
Classifications
Subjects
  • Religion — Old Testament — Eve
  • Religion — Old Testament — Adam
  • History — United States — discovery of United States
  • Object — flower
  • Object — written matter
  • Allegory — life
  • Landscape — tree
  • Animal
  • Figure group
  • Figure group
Object Number
1989.78.2
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1989.78.2

Artwork Description

The colorful embroidery covering nearly every bit of fabric depicts religious, political, and personal motifs. Adam and Eve appear near the bottom, the preamble to the Constitution is at center, and portraits and names of family members are placed throughout. This is the only known artwork by Alice Eugenia Ligon.
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.
 

Works by this artist (18 items)

View all artworks
Augustus Saint-Gaudens, Margaretta Willoughby Pierrepont, 1874, marble, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mary Pierrepont Beckwith, 1968.65.2
Margaretta Willoughby Pierrepont
Artist
Date1874
marble
On view
Augustus Saint-Gaudens, Abraham Lincoln, modeled 1887, cast ca. 1923, bronze on stone base, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Cornelia E. Kremer, 1960.11.3
Abraham Lincoln
Artist
Datemodeled 1887, cast ca. 1923
bronze on stone base
On view
Augustus Saint-Gaudens, Judge Edwards Pierrepont, 1874, marble, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mary Pierrepont Beckwith, 1968.65.1
Judge Edwards Pierrepont
Artist
Date1874
marble
On view
Augustus Saint-Gaudens, Adams Memorial, modeled 1886-1891, cast 1969, bronze, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase, 1970.11
Adams Memorial
Artist
Datemodeled 1886-1891, cast 1969
bronze
On view

Exhibitions

Media - 2019.15 - SAAM-2019.15_1 - 137377
Subversive, Skilled, Sublime: Fiber Art by Women
May 31, 2024–January 5, 2025
Renwick Gallery
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.

More Artworks from the Collection

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Dr. Henry Shiff
Artist
Datemodeled 1880
bronze relief
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Paul Manship, United States of America Medal, n.d., bronze, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist, 1965.16.81
United States of America Medal
Artist
Daten.d.
bronze
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Olin Levi Warner, Thomas Clarkson Wilberfoss, 1892, bronze, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Carlyle Jones, 1974.88.36
Thomas Clarkson Wilberfoss
Artist
Date1892
bronze
Not on view
Joseph E. Renier, General Henry H. "Hap" Arnold Aviation Award, n.d., bronze, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Joseph Renier, 1967.93.50
General Henry H. ​“Hap” Arnold Aviation Award
Artist
Daten.d.
bronze
Not on view