Manuela Caniato Textile Art

I begin each piece with the frame. I search for antique frames in second-hand shops, and once I find one that inspires me, I determine the size of my embroidery accordingly. I’m especially drawn to old golden frames—they’re not only more accessible than other types, but they also carry a timeless elegance that aligns with the themes I explore.

The aged gold of the frame echoes the historical depth of the female figures I embroider on. This particular work is a reinterpretation of A Lady in Her Bath by French artist François Clouet, painted in 1571 and now housed in the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.

I chose a close-up detail of her face—her forehead and eyes—framed by delicate jewels and a lace headpiece. The embroidery is enriched with red accents, metallic threads, pearls, metallic paint, cotton mesh, silk threads, and intentional cuts. Each of these elements highlights my ongoing reflection on the fading nature of female beauty through time.

This is a small, square piece—measuring 20 x 20 cm—and it’s one of a series of three works that will be set in similarly sized antique gold frames.