Rediscovering Mary Linwood, Leicester’s Forgotten Embroidery Pioneer
In the early 1800s, Leicester-born Mary Linwood (1755–1845) was one of the most celebrated artists in Britain. Known for her astonishing skill in “needle painting”, a technique of recreating famous artworks in stitch. Linwood built a career that was both groundbreaking and ambitious. She exhibited across Britain and Europe, ran a thriving school for young ladies in Leicester, and in 1809 opened her own gallery in London’s Leicester Square, which was the first ever established by a woman artist. Despite enjoying the patronage of Queen Charlotte and the admiration of the wealthy and powerful of her time, Linwood’s reputation faded after her death, leaving her remarkable story largely untold.
Print depicting Miss Linwood, published ca. 19th century, Harry Beard Collection.
Now, contemporary textile artist Ruth Singer is bringing Linwood’s legacy back into focus with Mary Linwood: Art, Stitch and Life, a major new exhibition on now at Leicester Museum and Art Gallery. This is the first retrospective of Linwood’s work since 1951, and it offers a rare chance to view 14 of her embroideries from the Leicester Museums collections, shown alongside new textile works by Singer that respond to Linwood’s life and practice.
Mary Linwood, "Tigress", c. 1798. Embroidery, Yale Center for British Art, New Haven, U.S.A.
Singer has spent the past two years researching Linwood’s career, curating the exhibition, and developing her own artworks in dialogue with the historic pieces. “I’ve known about Mary Linwood for a long time,” Singer explains, “but it was moving back to Leicester in 2006 and finding that this amazing textile artist was virtually unknown in her own city that inspired me to do something.”
Mary Linwood, "Salvator Mundi after Carlo Dolci" c. 1798. Royal Collection Trust.
The project extends beyond the museum walls with a series of community initiatives running throughout 2025–26. These include Connected Threads, a programme of workshops for local makers; Stitching Feelings, a nationwide contributory project; and Stitched Selfies, a collaborative exploration of identity through embroidery. Volunteer opportunities will also invite the public to be part of Linwood’s rediscovery.
Picture, embroidered worsted, by Mary Linwood, landscape after painting by Salvator Rosa, England, 1790-1819.
Art historians have welcomed the exhibition as a vital step in re-establishing Linwood’s profile. Dr Heidi A. Strobel, Professor of Art History at the University of North Texas, describes her career as “wondrous in myriad ways,” while Dr Isabella Rosner of the Royal School of Needlework emphasises that “Mary Linwood’s importance to the history of embroidery cannot be overstated.”
With its blend of historic and contemporary textile art, Mary Linwood: Art, Stitch and Life promises to captivate both textile enthusiasts and those interested in Leicester’s overlooked cultural history. By revisiting Linwood’s extraordinary life and achievements, Ruth Singer ensures that this pioneering woman artist takes her rightful place in the story of British art.
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Further Information:
Mary Linwood: Art, Stitch and Life runs from 13 September 2025 to 15 January 2026 at Leicester Museum and Art Gallery.
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Image Credits:
Lead: Pomeranian Dog (Needlework) by Mary Linwood (1755-1845).
All other images as credited in photo captions.