Judy Chicago (American, born 1939). <em>Caroline Herschel Place Setting</em>, 1974–1979. Runner: Cotton/linen fabric, woven interface support material (horsehair, wool, and linen), cotton twill tape, silk, synthetic gold cord, wool, wool yarn, thread
Plate: Porcelain with overglaze enamel (China paint), Runner: 51 3/8 x 30 in. (130.5 x 76.2 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of The Elizabeth A. Sackler Foundation, 2002.10-PS-29. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2002.10-PS-29_threequarter_PS9.jpg)

Judy Chicago (American, born 1939). Caroline Herschel Place Setting, 1974–1979. Runner: Cotton/linen fabric, woven interface support material (horsehair, wool, and linen), cotton twill tape, silk, synthetic gold cord, wool, wool yarn, thread Plate: Porcelain with overglaze enamel (China paint), Runner: 51 3/8 x 30 in. (130.5 x 76.2 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of The Elizabeth A. Sackler Foundation, 2002.10-PS-29. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2002.10-PS-29_threequarter_PS9.jpg)

Judy Chicago (American, born 1939). Caroline Herschel Place Setting, 1974–1979. Runner: Cotton/linen fabric, woven interface support material (horsehair, wool, and linen), cotton twill tape, silk, synthetic gold cord, wool, wool yarn, thread Plate: Porcelain with overglaze enamel (China paint), Runner: 51 3/8 x 30 in. (130.5 x 76.2 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of The Elizabeth A. Sackler Foundation, 2002.10-PS-29. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: , 2002.10-PS-29_Caroline_Herschel_Jook_Leung_photo_9359r2.jpg)

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Who was Caroline Herschel?

Caroline Herschel was a pioneering female astronomer, and the first woman to discover a comet. Her achievements paved the way for women to develop careers in the sciences.

Her place setting and runner reference astronomy and her achievements in the field. The eye in the center reminds me her search through the telescope. and a telescope is intertwined with the first letter of her name on the runner.

Thanks for the information.

I'm guessing she had something to do with astronomy.

Yes! Caroline Herschel was a pioneering astronomer and the first woman to discover a comet. There is a crater on the Moon named after her today.

Her runner is arguably the most intricate at The Dinner Party, it was executed by Marjorie Biggs, the most talented embroiderer on the project. The celestial references are clear, the shape around Herschel's name is based on her own sketch of the Milky Way.

Can you tell me more about this one with the eye?

The eye and the celestial motifs in the runner reference Herschel's career as an astronomer.

She was the first woman to discover a comet and ultimately discovered 8 new comets; there are 8 comets depicted on the back of the runner. The eye is a nod to looking through a telescope.

Who did the embroidery?

The embroidery, as with all aspects of The Dinner Party, was completed by a team of many people led by Judy Chicago. You may be especially interested in Caroline Herschel's runner. It was executed by Marjorie Biggs who was the project's most skilled embroiderer who taught many of the other assistants. She also did the triangular Millennium Runners at each corner.

Wow!

Caroline Herschel 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 fabric, woven interface support material (horsehair, wool, and linen), cotton twill tape, silk, synthetic gold cord, wool, wool yarn, thread Plate: Porcelain with overglaze enamel (China paint)

DATES 1974–1979

DIMENSIONS Runner: 51 3/8 x 30 in. (130.5 x 76.2 cm) Plate: 13 7/8 x 13 7/8 x 2 3/4 in. (35.2 x 35.2 x 7 cm) (show scale)

COLLECTIONS Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art

ACCESSION NUMBER 2002.10-PS-29

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). Caroline Herschel Place Setting, 1974–1979. Runner: Cotton/linen fabric, woven interface support material (horsehair, wool, and linen), cotton twill tape, silk, synthetic gold cord, wool, wool yarn, thread Plate: Porcelain with overglaze enamel (China paint), Runner: 51 3/8 x 30 in. (130.5 x 76.2 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of The Elizabeth A. Sackler Foundation, 2002.10-PS-29. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2002.10-PS-29_threequarter_PS9.jpg)

IMAGE threequarter, 2002.10-PS-29_threequarter_PS9.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2013

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