Arthur Hacker (1858–1919) was a remarkably versatile British painter who bridged the gap between late Victorian Classicism and emerging modern styles like Post-Impressionism. Educated at the Royal Academy Schools in London and under Léon Bonnat in Paris, Hacker's training instilled a rigorous academic realism in his grand mythological and religious narratives, such as The Temptation of Sir Percival and The Annunciation. He was equally renowned for his lucrative society portraits and later, for atmospheric urban scenes like Wet Night, Piccadilly Circus. Hacker's diverse style, which also includes the mesmerizing beauty of works like The Sea Maid and refined portraiture akin to Marchesa Florenzi, translates perfectly to cross stitch. Stitching his work means capturing the luminous detail and emotional depth of his female figures or the rich, textured drapery of his classical scenes, turning a dynamic art history into a timeless needlework masterpiece.