Suzhou Embroidery. Suzhou Embroidery Research Institute
61 × 61 cm, 1990s
This work is based on a pastel portrait by British artist John Russell (1745–1806), now held in the Louvre. The embroiderer used a variety of techniques to interpret the subtle shifts in color and texture found in the original. The girl’s skin and clothing are rendered with Straight Stitch for smoothness, while her hair is brought to life through a combination of long and short stitches that suggest softness and movement. The background features layered cross-stitching to convey light and depth. This kind of embroidery, which integrates Western techniques of perspective and chiaroscuro, reflects the influence of modern Chinese embroidery reformers such as Shen Shou and Yang Shou-Yu. Drawing from cross-cultural exchanges and studies abroad in the early 20th century, they introduced painterly effects into embroidery, pioneering innovations like Realistic and Free Cross Stitch to simulate the texture and luminosity of Western painting.