Painting
Maker & role
Unknown, Maker
Production date
1890
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Object detail
Title
Framed devotional text: 'Nothing in my Hands I Bring, Simply to Thy Cross I Cling'
Collection
Measurements
H: 34 x W: 30 x D: 1.8cm (H: 340 x W: 300 x D: 18mm)
Signature & marks
Reg no. applied verso; below RHS ring hook
Credit line
Gift, NSW Department of Planning and Environment, 1987
Rouse Hill Estate Collection, Museums of History New South Wales
Rouse Hill Estate Collection, Museums of History New South Wales
Rouse Hill Estate Collection, Museums of History New South Wales
Rouse Hill Estate Collection, Museums of History New South Wales
Caption
Framed print of a devotional text: 'Nothing in my Hands I Bring, Simply to Thy Cross I Cling'. ca 1890.
Description
An illuminated devotional text: “Nothing in my hands I bring / Simply to Thy cross I cling”, with a half-wreath of ivy below, and surmounted by a crucifix. printed outline, decorated in watercolour. Framed in a simple rectangular gilt mount. The text is from the 3rd verse of the hymn ‘Rock of ages, cleft for me’ (lyrics Augustus Montague Toplady, music Thomas Hastings).
Ivy is a plant that clings to stonework or trees, giving it the meaning ‘I cling to thee’ in the 19th century ‘language of flowers’, so is an obvious choice for the decoration. Along with companion piece R98/11, the work seems to be a printed design which has then been decorated in watercolour. The roughness of the paint application may indicate a young hand, possibly Nina (b.1875) or Kathleen (b.1878) Rouse, and a date in the latter 1880s. It also recalls the numerous copybooks for handwriting in the collection used by the two girls.
This framed religious text is from the second bedroom at Rouse Hill. Whilst typical of domestic decoration in the late 1800s, the sheer number of these texts on display in the house reflects the role and importance of religion for the Rouse and Terry families: the Rouses were significant benefactors to, and office holders of nearby Christ Church, Rouse Hill which was their family church and scene of marriages, christenings and funerals.
Ivy is a plant that clings to stonework or trees, giving it the meaning ‘I cling to thee’ in the 19th century ‘language of flowers’, so is an obvious choice for the decoration. Along with companion piece R98/11, the work seems to be a printed design which has then been decorated in watercolour. The roughness of the paint application may indicate a young hand, possibly Nina (b.1875) or Kathleen (b.1878) Rouse, and a date in the latter 1880s. It also recalls the numerous copybooks for handwriting in the collection used by the two girls.
This framed religious text is from the second bedroom at Rouse Hill. Whilst typical of domestic decoration in the late 1800s, the sheer number of these texts on display in the house reflects the role and importance of religion for the Rouse and Terry families: the Rouses were significant benefactors to, and office holders of nearby Christ Church, Rouse Hill which was their family church and scene of marriages, christenings and funerals.
Accession number
R96/28
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