Sir Frank Dicksee

British, 1853 - 1928

The Emblem

B/w only.

"Mr Dicksee's art is conspicuous for its rich colour and lovingly elaborated decoration of surfaces. This fine example shows us a beautiful and graceful lady in a rich interior seated at an embroidery frame. Her face is half turned to us as she raises the cloth covering the work. The attitude is reserved, as of one reluctantly disclosing a secret; and indeed she does not show too much, for her flowing sleeve tantalisingly hides the greater part of what she has uncovered. Pictorially the work has great charm; and though there is no story to it, it suggests an idea. We are to suppose that she has been long at work with cunning needle in secret, making a splendid banner, emblem of a great cause and destined to be borne at the head of its supporters. Such an object is worthy of the labour consecrated by love that she has given to it. But the time for its display is not yet, and for the present the secret must be jealously guarded."
The above text comes from the 1917 "Bibby's Annual".

A copy of a colourized print of this picture: