Judy Chicago (American, born 1939). <em>Virginia Woolf Place Setting</em>, 1974–1979. Runner: Cotton/linen base fabric, woven interface support material (horsehair, wool, and linen), cotton twill tape, silk, synthetic gold cord, airbrushed acrylic paint, silk chiffon, silk embroidery thread,
Plate: Porcelain with overglaze enamel (China paint), Runner: 52 x 30 1/8 in. (132.1 x 76.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of The Elizabeth A. Sackler Foundation, 2002.10-PS-38. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: , 2002.10-PS-38_plate_view3_PS1.jpg)

Judy Chicago (American, born 1939). Virginia Woolf Place Setting, 1974–1979. Runner: Cotton/linen base fabric, woven interface support material (horsehair, wool, and linen), cotton twill tape, silk, synthetic gold cord, airbrushed acrylic paint, silk chiffon, silk embroidery thread, Plate: Porcelain with overglaze enamel (China paint), Runner: 52 x 30 1/8 in. (132.1 x 76.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of The Elizabeth A. Sackler Foundation, 2002.10-PS-38. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: , 2002.10-PS-38_plate_view3_PS1.jpg)

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Who's this?

Virginia Woolf is a renowned British novelist associated with the modernist movement in literature.

I'd love to know more about the imagery of the Virginia Woolf place.

The plate is so dimensional and references plant growth because Chicago wanted to convey how creative and productive Woolf was. You may notice it bears similarities to the "Fertility Goddess" setting also at the table for this reason.

The light beam on the embroidered waves, meanwhile, references Woolf's book "To the Lighthouse"

Oh thank you! That's very interesting

How was the lace used to make her plate?

I'm fascinated by the ceramic process used to create Emily Dickinson's place setting at "The Dinner Party." The lace was dipped in ceramic, then fired. This burned the fabric away but left a beautiful cast of the delicate lattice designs.

It was my favorite.

Tell me more.

This place setting at The Dinner Party represents Virginia Woolf, one of the most prominent modernist writers of the early 20th century.

The plate blooms -- a representation of how Woolf advocated for unrestricted expression, especially for women.

The seeds you see at the center are a reference to Woolf's fertile imagination and creative genius.

Virginia Woolf and O’Keeffe’s tapestries are plainer than the rest, but with more elaborate plates, was that intentional?

Each plate and runner is tailored to the specific person and their life, so the amount of imagery varies. On Georgia O'Keeffe's place setting, for instance, the runner is meant to resemble a canvas with stretcher strips, so it is relatively simple. The plate, meanwhile, is meant to recall her painting, so it is more complex.

The front of Woolf's runner is simpler, but the back is more decorative. The lighthouse imagery that you see on the back of the runner references her novel, To The Lighthouse.

I didn’t even notice the backs! Thanks!

Virginia Woolf Place Setting

Judy Chicago

Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art

On View: Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art, 4th Floor

ARTIST Judy Chicago, American, born 1939

MEDIUM Runner: Cotton/linen base fabric, woven interface support material (horsehair, wool, and linen), cotton twill tape, silk, synthetic gold cord, airbrushed acrylic paint, silk chiffon, silk embroidery thread, Plate: Porcelain with overglaze enamel (China paint)

DATES 1974–1979

DIMENSIONS Runner: 52 x 30 1/8 in. (132.1 x 76.5 cm) Plate:14 3/16 x 14 1/2 x 4 3/8 (36 x 36.8 x 11.1 cm) (show scale)

COLLECTIONS Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art

ACCESSION NUMBER 2002.10-PS-38

CREDIT LINE Gift of The Elizabeth A. Sackler Foundation

EXHIBITIONS

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is on view in Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art, 4th Floor

CAPTION Judy Chicago (American, born 1939). Virginia Woolf Place Setting, 1974–1979. Runner: Cotton/linen base fabric, woven interface support material (horsehair, wool, and linen), cotton twill tape, silk, synthetic gold cord, airbrushed acrylic paint, silk chiffon, silk embroidery thread, Plate: Porcelain with overglaze enamel (China paint), Runner: 52 x 30 1/8 in. (132.1 x 76.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of The Elizabeth A. Sackler Foundation, 2002.10-PS-38. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: , 2002.10-PS-38_plate_view3_PS1.jpg)

IMAGE 2002.10-PS-38_plate_view3_PS1.jpg.

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RIGHTS STATEMENT © Judy Chicago

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