NEEDLE • KNIFE • TORCH [&] BRUSH

As mentioned above Roth appears obsessed with money—note
the composition of the following two large textiles—they are
composed as bills, banknotes or bonds with a central
illustrative devise flanked by copy.
The embroidery above is quite rich and complex. Dated
September 10, 1905 (less than two weeks after the “Report.”)
it begins, as one would start a letter, “Dear Father, first of all,
heart felt greetings to you. I am longingly waiting for my
freedom.” Was he committed against his will? Was there an
incident? Roth continues recalling an event of May 18 and his
“heathen” doctor and how he saw his bride, whom he did not
recognize. Roth again mentions President Roosevelt and “the
State House wherein lies millions of dollars of tax money from
the War of 1866 [the Austro-Prussian War].”
Roth continues that he wishes to celebrate his wedding and
hold his “first big sermon” on a trip around the world.
The center is headed with two American flags and a seal of
New York along with eight portraits, four of which are
identical (his bride). Others are the superintendent, Dr.
Marcus B. Heyman (Heiman [sic]), his Mother, the ship’s
captain and possibly a self-portrait.
The textile to the right is dated, November 6, 1905 and as the
above was a letter to his father, this one is a letter to his
brother. “Dear brother, it is hard to be suffering for such a long
time under the weeds, but as soon as I am free, I will be Lord
and Master of the earth.”
Roth’s work is an important addition to American Outsider Art
and his story is fascinating—and with more study and as more
works are discovered or identified, the more fascinating his
story will become.