FABRICATING THE WORLD | LACE: a textile that conceals and reveals with Margot Yeomans

The history of lace-making goes back more than four hundred years. At its height of popularity in the 17^th century, it was a commodity of enormous value, coveted by both men and women.

As many paintings of the 17^th century attest, lace-makers were a favorite subject for artists. Most of the young women in these paintings are anonymous, but each painting can tell a story that conceals or reveals the life the young lace-maker may have led.

In this talk Margot Yeomans will discuss the history of lace and the lives of the young women who made it.

MARGOT YEOMANS has a PhD in art history where her topic looked at images of lace-makers in 17^th century Holland.

She is an independent researcher, a practicing embroiderer and a member of The Embroiderers Guild, Victoria. She has long had an interest in textile production and its history, especially anything that is embroidered.

Pieter Jacobsz Duyfhuijsen (Dutch, 1608–1677), Lace-maker with Armour, The Netherlands, circa 1675, oil on panel, 340 x260 mm, Private Collection, image courtesy of Sotheby's, London, 1995