Lot #57: Large Vintage Hand-Stitched Needlepoint Tapestry – "A Young Girl Reading" after Fragonard

Up for auction is a stunning, beautifully executed vintage needlepoint tapestry depicting one of Western art history's most beloved images: "A Young Girl Reading" (also known as La Liseuse or The Reader). Entirely hand-stitched by a local Hamilton woman, this large-format textile piece showcases exceptional dedication, uniform tension, and an eye for rich tonal transitions in wool yarn. The design is a faithful textile interpretation of the famous c. 1770 Rococo oil painting by celebrated French master painter Jean-Honoré Fragonard (1732–1806). Fragonard was renowned for his expressive brushwork, theatrical use of light, and intimate genre scenes under the Ancien Régime. This mid-to-late 20th-century homage captures the signature warm saffron-gold hues of the reader’s dress, her delicate ruffled collar, and the quiet serenity of her focused posture. While smaller needlepoint iterations of this subject are occasionally found, examples of this expansive 26" x 31" scale are incredibly rare. The tapestry is beautifully paired with a substantial, deep-profile carved wooden frame featuring metallic gold undertones that accentuates the historic Rococo aesthetic, making it an immediate focal point for any traditional gallery wall, eclectic interior, or vintage textile collection. PICKUP NOTE: Access Storage - ample parking. Do not go to the front office - Please come to loading dock ramps and see our team member with your lot numbers/ invoice. Dimensions: 26" x 31" Pickup category timeslot {B}