Two-headed Foal – Free Counted Cross-Stitch Pattern

Two-Headed Foal Cross-Stitch Pattern by Cross-Stitch Vienna blog sq
Two-headed Foal Cross-Stitch Pattern
Two-headed Foal Cross-Stitch Pattern

Two heads are better than one.

Size: 269 KB
Version: 1
Published: October 25, 2021

Have I previously mentioned my love of commons? You find the weirdest shit on there.

(Here, I invite you to follow my Instagram because I often share my finds there.)

The two-headed foal was such a delicious find.

Image from page 138 of “Evolution and disease” (1890), made available via Internet Archive Book Images
Original painting “A Goldsmith in his Shop” can be found at: http://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/459052

A celebrated masterpiece of Northern Renaissance Art, this painting was signed and dated 1449 by Petrus Christus, the leading painter in Bruges (Flanders) after the death of Jan van Eyck. The panel attests to Netherlandish artists’ keen interest in pictorial illusionism and meticulous attention to detail. The main figure in this enigmatic painting was long identified as Saint Eligius (the patron saint of goldsmiths) due to the presence of a halo, which was recognized as a later addition and subsequently removed, as well as the portrait of the fabled two-headed foal that rests just behind the Saint’s left shoulder amongst other prized possessions. According to the legend, Saint Eligius would arrive on the two-headed foal in times of plenty and busy himself amassing gold and commissions emptying pockets of local traders, property owners, and clergy. Saint Eligius would be a welcome sign to goldsmiths whereas he was considered a bad omen to anyone but. Thus the ride of the patron of goldsmiths, the fierce foal, eventually grew another head to be able to protect its handler from dangers posed by unsympathetic locals. The couple standing over the working Saint represents this ambiguity – the woman eagerly reaches out for her new trinket, while her partner attempts to hold her back gazing suspiciously at the skilled hands of the goldsmith. He knows that the Saint is first and foremost concerned with the riches and would not hesitate to cheat his customers.

ANYWAY, I simply threw this delightful illustration of what perfection looks like into my pattern maker, cleaned it up and voulez-vous coucher avec moi! Enjoy.