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Anna Maria Garthwaite (1688 - 1763)Cut-paper work 1707
I look at this for a long time,
trying to absorb every detail,
and wonder at the exquisite skill.
I try to imagine the initial vision,
the fierce concentration
and the determination to complete.
I remind myself that even
the most ambitious of projects
are completed one tiny snip at a time.
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One snip at a time, 'tis true, 'tis just knowing where and what to snip and when.
ReplyDeleteMy husband can do that Scherenschnitte stuff, no problem. Me, I cut out a few paper dolls for Little Lad this afternoon and just about went stark raving loony...
ReplyDeleteAnd I think about the fact that light levels were abysmally low indoors without electricity.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if she procrastinated by cooking elaborate dinners when she really should have been working?
ReplyDeleteIsn't that just exquisite?????!!!???
ReplyDeleteThat image would be stunning if it were paper and ink. That it has all been cut out is nothing sort of amazing.
ReplyDeleteWow!!! Do you know what the finished size of the item is? I have a wonderful chinese paper cutting of a traditional lion dance on my dining room wall that my friend cut from silk paper when she was out in Taiwan - similar principle but on a much smaller scale
ReplyDeleteThere's always the fear in life that rather than make the correct snip you will actually lop a huge lump off.
ReplyDeleteLove this, what fabulous intricate work.
ReplyDeleteI am entranced! Do you mean to say this is cut from a single sheet of black paper? How big is it? WHERE is it? Are reproductions available? I would love to have this on my wall. Or under glass, on my table. I would doubtless spend hours thinking about just the different tree species!
ReplyDeleteI do forget that.
ReplyDeleteIt makes my paper cutting efforts look rather pathetic!
ReplyDeleteYes, impressive snipping. But it must be pointed out that she could do this because she didn't have any blogs to read in the year 1707.
ReplyDeleteIt's incredible! I bought a Rob Ryan book yesterday that I just cannot stop looking at. Her craft lives on.
ReplyDeleteThis triggered something off in my mind. I had to go and surf the interwebs to remember: Jan Piekowski's illustrations for 'A Necklace of Raindrops' by Joan Aiken, my favourite book as a child and a major inspiration for my jewellery-making:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.flickr.com/photos/93005174@N00/350061193/
Gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteAlso, LOL @ Eurolush ...
I could barely read your words as I was so lost in the illustration.
ReplyDeleteSpeechless.
ReplyDelete