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Artist Embroiders Portraits and Each Strand of Thread Looks Like a Brushstroke of Paint

Embroidery Renaissance Paintings by Maria Vasilyeva

Inspired by the works of the old masters, Russia-based artist Maria Vasilyeva creates accessories and panels that evoke the style and fine workmanship of the Renaissance. Vasilyeva’s purses, pendants, and brooches feature embroidered portraits, with each stitch appearing to resemble a paint stroke, emulating the technique of classical oil paintings.

Vasilyeva uses a selection of elegant fabrics—including plush Italian velvet—and embellishes her works with beading and tassels to achieve a sense of luxury associated with the fine art that inspires them. The perfect proportions and period-specific colors imbue her creations with a sense of antiquity.

Some pieces, set against a light background, show the subjects’ delicate features in subtle shades of ivory white, blue-grey, and nut browns. Whereas in others, like one of most recent pieces—a pendant featuring Girl with a Pearl Earring by Johannes Vermeer—display much richer colors. The dark charcoal-black background, alongside the burnt umber of the clothes contrast with the ultramarine blue and lemon yellow of her headscarf, while a touch of vermillion red in her lips pops against subtle, peachy skin tones.

You can follow Vasilyeva on Instagram where she posts works-in-progress and detail-shots of her creations. You can also purchase Vasilyeva’s embroidery painting products via her online shop.

Textile artist Maria Vasilyeva recreates Renaissance paintings as embroidery accessories.

Embroidery Renaissance Paintings by Maria Vasilyeva

Embroidery Renaissance Paintings by Maria Vasilyeva

Embroidery Renaissance Paintings by Maria Vasilyeva

Embroidery Renaissance Paintings Maria Vasilyeva

Embroidery Renaissance Paintings Maria Vasilyeva

Embroidery Renaissance Paintings Maria Vasilyeva

Embroidery Renaissance Paintings by Maria Vasilyeva

Each hand-sewn stitch appears to resemble a paint stroke.

Embroidery Renaissance Paintings by Maria Vasilyeva

Embroidery Renaissance Paintings by Maria Vasilyeva

Embroidery Renaissance Paintings by Maria Vasilyeva

Embroidery Renaissance Paintings by Maria Vasilyeva

The stitches build to form subtle gradients that mimic the painting techniques of old masters.

Embroidery Renaissance Paintings by Maria Vasilyeva

Embroidery Renaissance Paintings by Maria Vasilyeva

Embroidery Renaissance Paintings by Maria Vasilyeva

Embroidery Renaissance Paintings by Maria Vasilyeva

Embroidery Renaissance Paintings by Maria Vasilyeva

Embroidery Renaissance Paintings by Maria Vasilyeva

Embroidery Renaissance Paintings by Maria Vasilyeva

Embroidery Renaissance Paintings by Maria Vasilyeva

Embroidery Renaissance Paintings by Maria Vasilyeva

Embroidery Renaissance Paintings by Maria Vasilyeva

Embroidery Renaissance Paintings by Maria Vasilyeva

Embroidery Renaissance Paintings by Maria Vasilyeva

Maria Vasilyeva: Instagram
h/t: [So Super Awesome]

All images via Maria Vasilyeva.

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Emma Taggart

Emma Taggart is a Contributing Writer at My Modern Met. Originally from Northern Ireland, she is an artist now based in Berlin. After graduating with a BA in Fashion and Textile Design in 2013, Emma decided to combine her love of art with her passion for writing. Emma has contributed to various art and culture publications, with an aim to promote and share the work of inspiring modern creatives. While she writes every day, she’s also devoted to her own creative outlet—Emma hand-draws illustrations and is currently learning 2D animation.
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