Skip to content
back to Hardwick

A Virtuous Woman

Published:
04 June 2025
A woman wearing a white gown centres the image, with her long dress falling down, detailing embroided names
The artwork 'A Virtuous Woman', by Layla Khoo, on display at Hardwick Hall | © National Trust

‘A Virtuous Woman’ is an art installation by Layla Khoo who has drawn inspiration from the 16th century Noblewomen Embroideries at Hardwick Hall.

Four of the five embroideries in the Noblewomen series have survived the passage of time and in her installation, Khoo reimagines the fifth embroidery through a modern-day perspective.

The Noblewomen Embroideries were commissioned by Bess of Hardwick, the original owner of the Hall, and a woman who rose to a position of great power within Elizabethan society. Through the embroideries, Bess conveyed her virtues and values - the women featured were people she admired and aligned herself with.

Image of the freshly conserved appliqué of Penelope with two virtues either side.
The noblewomen tapestries that inspired the modern artwork were commissioned by Bess. They featured biblical and mythical female figures – Lucretia, Zenobia, Artemisia, Cleopatra and, in this case, Penelope, wife of the classical hero Ulysses. Penelope is celebrated at the centre of this embroidery, and personifications of the virtues of patience and perseverance are shown on either side. | © Andreas von Einsiedel

Between April and November 2024, Khoo invited visitors to Hardwick to contribute their own virtuous women to her fifth reimagined embroidery. Khoo asked visitors to consider which women represent them and their values today.

Everyone may not agree on all the names included, but they were the choices of individual participants. Participants were free to express themselves in engaging with the artwork. All contributions were valid.

None of the names chosen or actions taken by participants represent the views of the National Trust, the artist or the University of Leeds.

Layla working on the finishing touches of 'A Virtuous Woman' with the colourful artwork in the background
Layla Khoo completing the finishing touches on the 'A Virtuous Woman' artwork. | © National Trust Images/Paul Harris

An example of differing views was the inclusion of JK Rowling. During the participation phase, JK Rowling's name was stitched onto the piece seven times and in two instances it was stitched over by other participants. At the time the artwork was completed and subsequently hung, JK Rowling's name appeared five times without any overstitching.

Once the piece was finished and assembled by the artist in November 2024, the artwork was closed to participation and new contributions, and then it was displayed in its finished form.

We ask people not to tamper with or damage artworks once they are finished and on public display. Unfortunately, ‘A Virtuous Woman’ was recently altered by visitors, so it has been taken off display for assessment and to protect it from further tampering or damage.

All claims and incidents of damage to items in our care are taken seriously and investigated.

We are now considering options to redisplay ‘A Virtuous Woman’.

Sign up to hear more from the National Trust

By sharing your email address you’re agreeing to receive marketing emails from the National Trust and confirm you’re 18 years old or over. Please see our for more information on how we look after your personal data.