Prudence Punderson Rossiter

Prudence Punderson Rossiter (July 28, 1758 – September 16, 1784) was an American artist known for her needlework pictures.

Originally from Preston, Connecticut,[1][2] Rossiter was the first of eight children of Ebenezer Punderson and Prudence Geer Punderson; her father was a Loyalist during the American Revolutionary War, and as a result the family's goods were confiscated in 1778. The Pundersons fled to Long Island, where they lived in reduced circumstances for the duration of the war. Prudence turned to domestic work to earn money. In 1780 she overcame a severe illness that threatened her artistic ability;[3] a letter to her sister from this time survives, speaking of a "gathering" on her breast that required lancing.[4] On October 20, 1783, she married Timothy Wells Rossiter; their daughter Sophia was born on July 18, 1784, and Prudence died on September 16 of the same year. She was interred in the Maple Cemetery in Berlin, Connecticut.[3]

Rossiter produced a number of needlework pictures, including twelve depictions of the twelve apostles inspired by print sources. She is best known, however, for the self-portrait The First, Second, and Last Scene of Morality, completed around 1775. This work portrays a young woman, the artist herself, seated at a table in a finely-furnished parlor. To one side is a baby in a cradle, being cared for by a black servant. To the other is a coffin, marked "PP", sitting on a table.[3] The piece is owned by the Connecticut Historical Society.[1][5] The same organization owns her other needlework pieces as well as her letters, poetry, drawings, and diary.[3][6] They combine to provide a rare glimpse into the life of a young woman of the period.[7] Rossiter's embroidery is the most-reproduced piece in the Society's collection.[8]

Elements of Rossiter's art have been incorporated into the work of artist Kiki Smith.[6] Her needlework has been discussed by Laurel Thatcher Ulrich.[9]

References
  1. "In the Words of Women » "The First, Second and Last Scenes of Mortality"". Retrieved Mar 20, 2019.
  2. "Chipstone Article". www.chipstone.org. Retrieved Mar 20, 2019.
  3. Gerard C. Wertkin (2 August 2004). Encyclopedia of American Folk Art. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-135-95614-1.
  4. "In the Words of Women » Punderson, Prudence". Retrieved Mar 20, 2019.
  5. "Prudence Punderson, 18th c Needlework Artist, Connecticut Historical Society". Apr 17, 2015. Retrieved Mar 20, 2019 – via YouTube.
  6. "Prudence Punderson, Ordinary Woman, Extraordinary Artist: Needlework in Connecticut | Connecticut History | a CTHumanities Project". Retrieved Mar 20, 2019.
  7. "The First, Second, and Last Scene of Mortality". Retrieved Mar 20, 2019.
  8. "Connecticut Needlework: Women, Art, and Family, 1740–1840". samplings.com. Retrieved Mar 20, 2019.
  9. "Ulrich tells the stories of historical women". May 9, 2008. Retrieved Mar 20, 2019.
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