Saint Elisabeth Cross Stitch Pattern

Description

Saint Elisabeth cross stitch pattern was inspired by the 1895 painting ‘The Charity of Saint Elisabeth of Hungary‘ by British artist Edmund Blair Leighton. This emotive scene is a tribute to the generosity of Princess Elisabeth von Thüringen and features the beautiful young Royal handing out loaves of steaming hot bread to a line of mothers and babies, children, and people in need.

The Project

This is a large full-coverage cross stitch that measures 63.5cm x 89.8cm (350 x 495 grid area) when completed on 14-count Aida cloth. The project requires 198 different DMC colours and you’ll be completing 173,250 stitches.

My interpretation is a close replica of the original painting and I think you will enjoy stitching the steam rising from the bread, the gentle Saint Elisabeth’s embroidered garments, and the reverence and gratitude in the facial expressions of her recipients. The bright colours against the textured concrete pylons, plus the hint of daylight to the rear of the palace entryway are absolutely stunning.

Large projects like this can be tricky, so I’ve included an extra chart in your download pack that has been especially formatted for the Pattern Keeper App. Just import in PK and use to manage your project.

The Saint

Saint Elisabeth was a young princess of the Royal Kingdom of Hungary (modern-day Slovakia) who lived from 1207 – 1231. She is remembered for her charitable work, using her own dowry after she was widowed due to the plague, to build a hospital and serve the sick with her own hands. She is an enduring symbol of generosity and community spirit.

The Artist

Edmund Blair Leighton was a British artist who lived between 1852 and 1922. He is famous for his stunning interpretations of medieval legends and romantic scenes in the style of the Pre-Raphaeliete and Romantic period artists. I’ve charted about ten of his beautiful paintings into cross stitch patterns. They look just like the original artwork and work perfectly in the Pattern Keeper App.