Sackcloth Collection

Hopi Angel, c1905. Creator: Edward Sheriff Curtis
Hopi Angel, c1905. Photo shows a Hopi girl, head-and-shoulders portrait, facing front

MOURNING / SACKCLOTH
Wearing sackcloth as an outward sign of inward grief Date: circa 1840

Saint Mary Magdalene in Penitence, 1590-1607. Creator: Circle of Giuseppe Scolari
Saint Mary Magdalene in Penitence, 1590-1607

Pair of peasants, c. 1497 (Burin engraving)
5890628 Pair of peasants, c.1497 (Burin engraving) by DAorer or Duerer, Albrecht (1471-1528); 10.5x7.6 cm; Private Collection; Luisa Ricciarini; German, out of copyright

It was Abadie who made the Sacre-Coeur, but God made this!, published Paris c
STC217039 It was Abadie who made the Sacre-Coeur, but God made this!, published Paris c.1895-96 (colour litho) by Willette

The Penitent Magdalene, 1664 (polychrome wood)
XJL186902 The Penitent Magdalene, 1664 (polychrome wood) by Mena, Pedro de (1628-88); Museo Nacional de Escultura, Valladolid, Spain; Spanish, out of copyright

Battle of Hastings re-enactment. With cross-gartered jeans and dyed sackcloth doublets, the students of Kent and Sussex Universities re-enact the battle 900 years later. Date: 14 October 1066

The Penitent Magdalen, ca. 1750. Creator: Corrado Giaquinto
The Penitent Magdalen, ca. 1750

Eating-House, Chelsea, c1911-1924, (1924). Artist: Job Nixon
Eating-House, Chelsea. From The Studio Volume 88 [London Offices of the Studio, London, 1924.]

Gardener park oil sackcloth 39 x 31 cm unmarked
Gardener in the park, oil on sackcloth, 39 x 31 cm, unmarked, Franz Marent, Basel 1895-1918 Basel

Cartoon, Valentine Baker, British soldier
Cartoon, Valentine Baker (1827-1887), British soldier, also known as Baker Pasha -- Penance! He served with both the British and Ottoman armies and took part in several wars

Battle of Hastings re-enactment. With cross-gartered jeans and dyed sackcloth doublets, the students of Kent and Sussex Universities re-enact the battle 900 years later. Date: 14 October 1066

Convicted person in sackcloth, with miter, Jan Luyken, Henricus Wetstein, 1692

Potatoes in burlap sack on wood

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"Sackcloth: A Symbol of Mourning and Penitence" Throughout history, it has been a powerful symbol of mourning and penitence. In artworks such as "Saint Mary Magdalene in Penitence" by the Circle of Giuseppe Scolari or "The Penitent Magdalene" from 1664, we witness the depiction of individuals draped in sackcloth, their faces filled with sorrow and remorse. In the engraving "Pair of peasants" from 1497 or "Pair of villagers at the market" from 1519, we catch a glimpse into the lives of ordinary people who also wore sackcloth to express their grief during difficult times. It was a humble fabric that transcended social classes when it came to expressing deep emotions. Even in more contemporary depictions like Job Nixon's painting "Eating-House, Chelsea, " set between 1911-1924, we see how sackcloth continues to be associated with somber moments. The image portrays an atmosphere where patrons are immersed in their own thoughts while dressed in simple garments made out of this coarse material. Sackcloth's significance extends beyond art; it is deeply rooted in religious practices as well. St Bernard of Clairvaux covering a man with robes exemplifies compassion and empathy towards those seeking redemption. Additionally, the Sacre-Coeur basilica stands tall as a testament to God's grace amidst human suffering - reminding us that although Abadie physically constructed it, its true meaning lies within divine intervention. From battle re-enactments like the one depicting cross-gartered jeans and dyed sackcloth doublets during the Battle of Hastings to cartoons featuring Valentine Baker, British soldier donning this fabric - each instance reinforces sackcloth's association with repentance and reflection on past actions.