Prints and Principles

Most of the recent posts give details about individual prints and earlier posts discuss some of the subtle principles guiding artists in making images meaningful and memorable. For prints that are unsold, click "Items still available for sale" below. All other prints are no longer available. My contact email is oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com and my Instagram username is @printsandprinciples. I have created a separate blog to show my own work: https://printsandprinciplesjamesbrown.blogspot.com

Sunday, 14 June 2026

Ludwig Wilhelm Wittich, “Cross-Stitch Chart, No. 4032”, c.1830

Ludwig Wilhelm Wittich (1773–1832)—designer and publisher of the printed grid charts known as “Berlin Woolwork Patterns” (see https://berlinwoolwork.tumblr.com/theprints)

“Cross-Stitch Chart, No. 4032”, circa 1830

Technical Details & Condition:

Etching coloured with hand-painted gouache/opaque watercolour on heavy grey card, published in Berlin by Ludwig Wilhelm Wittich.

The design features a Boteh (Paisley) motif surrounded by vibrant floral arabesques set against a dramatic solid black ground. It is inscribed as number 55 (in the plate) of the embroidery templates known as Berlin Woolwork Patterns. Each square on the copperplate grid was painstakingly hand-coloured by workshop artisans to serve as a guide for cross-stitch or needlepoint embroidery.

The colours are vividly rich and have remained unfaded, painted with skill and care. A contemporary pen-and-ink inventory reference "M2." is inscribed in sanguine ink at the upper left corner. The top margin displays the original hand-painted colour key blocks used by the artisan during production. The verso contains minor, historical handwritten pencil notations. The sheet is in excellent condition with no tears, holes, or significant stains.

Dimensions:

• Sheet (unevenly trimmed): 39.1 x 30.3 cm
• Plate: 30.1 x 28.6 cm
• Outer image borderline: 27.1 x 27.5 cm

In-Plate Lettering:

• Upper right corner: “4032”
• Left side at centre: “198”
• Lower left corner: “15.”
• Below the image at centre: “Berlin bei L.W. Wittich. Behren St, N^o: 53.”

Price & Shipping:

AU$369 (approximately US$260.10 / €224.75 / £194), inclusive of worldwide express shipping. Please note that import duties and taxes (if any) are the buyer’s responsibility.

If you are interested in acquiring this exceptionally rare piece of design history—an amazing hand-painted colour chart printed on an etched grid meticulously crafted as a guide for cross-stitch embroidery—please contact me directly at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. A secure, itemised PayPal invoice will be generated to complete your purchase smoothly.

This print has been sold