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The Sleeping Knitter By Elizabeth Nelson, London, 1780 Poker work on unframed wood panel, approx. 10 in. wide by 12-3/8 in. tall (25 cm by 31-1/2 cm)

The Sleeping Knitter, detail of the label, verso By Elizabeth Nelson, London, 1780 Poker work on unframed wood panel, approx. 10 in. wide by 12-3/8 in. tall (25 cm by 31-1/2 cm) Text of the label is as follows: Burnt in Wood, With a Poker — March 1780. by E. Nelson. — Sleeping Knitter. 5 guineas — Image by Lisa Karena Weidman

The Sleeping Knitter, close-up, partial view By Elizabeth Nelson, London, 1780 Poker work on unframed wood panel, approx. 10 in. wide by 12-3/8 in. tall (25 cm by 31-1/2 cm)

The above panel by 18th Century English artist Elizabeth Nelson bears a label on the back that says, "Burnt with a Poker by E. Nelson, March 1780." The panel was discovered along with another dated 1777 at Bonham's Auction House in Oxford, England.

It is notable that in 1859, the famous English sculptor and pyrographic artist Ball Hughes likewise did a pyroengraved panel of "The Sleeping Knitting Girl," which is exhibited here in the E-Museum at the link here to the title. Further research suggests that both artists likely worked using the resource of an engraving by Claude Donat Jardinier, who, in turn, adapted what appears to be a modified mirror image of the original oil painting "La Tricoteuse Endormie" by French artist Jean-Baptiste Greuze. Greuze was described in one source as the painter to the King.

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If you have either any questions or any information regarding this work or another by Elizabeth Nelson, please e-mail the E-Museum Curator.

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