Welcome! I hope you enjoy your stay and come back often!
Now you too can own a piece of history.
My name is Nancy Anne Woolf-Pettyjohn an artist of Historic Laces from around the world. From my extensive research as well as in talking to museum curators and directors the world over, publishers, and on the Internet I am told that I am the only artist in the world to paint authentic historic laces only.
Each lace is authentically painted by hand using acrylic paint and each stitch of the different netting painstakingly done given an attention to detail. All paintings come unframed and are painted on museum quality acid-free canvas.
All of my work has had prior copyright permission to use whether from museums from around the world, authors, photographers, publishers from around the world or private collectors.
On the back of each painting I have a label that states the original textile and original date, original lacemaker if known, the date of my copy, any historical significance known, and who I have copyright permission from. All paintings for sale shall be numbered.
All inquiries are most welcome as well as comments about my art work. Custom requests are also accepted. Custom prices will vary according to type of lace, how detailed, size and time involved. On custom requests three months will be needed to finish a painting unless otherwise written in response.
Museum and Gallery inquiries are also welcome.
For a little history lesson...
Lace making goes back to Biblical days when Jewish temple curtains were trimmed with embroidery.
Since 1100's-1200's men wore lace underneath their suits of armor.
In 1115 Royalty started wearing it such as Henry I wife Matilda. Henry II wore a lace ruff to cover his scarred neck.
In 1415 lace became the universal dress of Royalty.
Men, women and children became lace makers the world over for centuries.
The wealthy down through the ages have always commissioned lace makers from convents, and individuals from Chantilly, Venice, Genoa, and Brussels. Since lace making played a big part in a nation's economy rigid rules were set in place. Only the wealthy could afford it as the special talent, skill and love it took to make was often made using a single thread and needle. To make even the smallest piece of lace often took literally months.
During the revolution of the Edit of Nantes, they sent 4,000 lace makers away from Alencon. Many of these lace makers went into Amsterdam, Holland.
Then the Elector of Brandenburg edit had lace makers fleeing to Germany.
Soon France realized her mistake and her economy was suffering. France began importing lace.
Flemish lace has always been highly sought after to this day.
Under the reign of Napoleon I, France decided to start smuggling lace from other countries. He had tried to re-establish the lace industry but had miserably failed.
In a sixteen year period they starved to death 40,278 dogs! Skin was stretched over their emaciated bodies and stuffed with laces. They also rolled up laces and placed under the bodies of deceased people in their coffins.
Lace became so powerful that one country plotted against another. Many countries economy was suffering resorting nations to stoop to smuggling. Smuggling was done by any number of ways that included pirates, dogs, coffins, doll boxes, food and sheer greed.
Lace is both historical as well as Fine Art.
Sources used in reference for this article:
Lace by Virginia Churchhill-Bath
History of Lace by Mrs. Bury Palliser
-Historic Lace Paintings-
Hand Painted & Painstakingly Accurate
When you think of lace you always think of romace.........
so why not give the gift of lace
to that special person in your life
and start creating a little history of your own?
