The Lord's Prayer thumbnail 1

The Lord's Prayer

Cut-Paper Work
1786 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Object Type
This copy of 'The Lord's Prayer' is an example of cut-paper work. Cut-paper work was a common pastime from the late 17th century, practised by the grandest in the country, from Queen Anne to Queen Victoria, while also being a folk art. Cut-paper work required time, patience and skill in the use of small scissors, knives and even pins. Devotional pieces such as this were popular, as were landscapes and flower arrangements.

Materials & Making
This example is made up of two pieces of cut-paper work. One is the oval piece of paper out of which the Prayer has been cut, probably using a small knife. The oval has been ruled in order to guide the artist in the size of the letters. The artist probably mis-cut the 'K' in 'Kingdom come', for a single cut letter 'K' has been stuck in from behind. Once the cutting of the letters was perfect, the oval was glued to the decorative border, which had been cut separately.

People
The work has been signed along the bottom in brown ink, 'cutt by T Hunter 1786', who was almost certainly a child. The cutting of 'The Lord's Prayer' would have been considered an appropriate occupation for a child, concentrating a young mind on a fundamental Christian text.

Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleThe Lord's Prayer (popular title)
Materials and techniques
Cut-paper work on a blue ground
Brief description
Papercut by T. Hunter, depicting 'The Lord's Prayer', cut-paper work, Great Britain, 1786
Physical description
Cur paper work depicting The Lord's Prayer set within a wreath and enclosed in an ornamental rectangle.
Dimensions
  • Approx. height: 17cm
  • Width: 14.3cm
Dimensions checked: Measured; 06/05/1999 by KN. Mount stuck down. Sight size is 17 x 14.3
Marks and inscriptions
Inscribed in ink on the back 'cutt by T. Hunter 1786'
Gallery label
(27/03/2003)
British Galleries:
Prayers, such as the Lord's Prayer or the Creed, were popular subjects, reflecting the belief that handicrafts were morally worthy occupations. Finished cuttings were often fixed between panes of glass or mounted on mirror glass.
Credit line
Given by Queen Mary
Production
Dated 1786
Literary referenceThe Lord's Prayer
Summary
Object Type
This copy of 'The Lord's Prayer' is an example of cut-paper work. Cut-paper work was a common pastime from the late 17th century, practised by the grandest in the country, from Queen Anne to Queen Victoria, while also being a folk art. Cut-paper work required time, patience and skill in the use of small scissors, knives and even pins. Devotional pieces such as this were popular, as were landscapes and flower arrangements.

Materials & Making
This example is made up of two pieces of cut-paper work. One is the oval piece of paper out of which the Prayer has been cut, probably using a small knife. The oval has been ruled in order to guide the artist in the size of the letters. The artist probably mis-cut the 'K' in 'Kingdom come', for a single cut letter 'K' has been stuck in from behind. Once the cutting of the letters was perfect, the oval was glued to the decorative border, which had been cut separately.

People
The work has been signed along the bottom in brown ink, 'cutt by T Hunter 1786', who was almost certainly a child. The cutting of 'The Lord's Prayer' would have been considered an appropriate occupation for a child, concentrating a young mind on a fundamental Christian text.
Bibliographic reference
Victoria & Albert Museum Department of Prints and Drawings and Department of Paintings, Accessions 1928. London: HMSO, 1929
Collection
Accession number
E.115-1928

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Record createdMarch 27, 2003
Record URL
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