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Embroidery · 2 min read · August 18, 2026

Embroidering The Goldfinch: Create Fabritius' little masterpiece yourself

Embroider or color The Goldfinch by Carel Fabritius. As a pre-printed cross-stitch kit or Paint by Numbers — create the famous little bird yourself.

Het Puttertje van Carel Fabritius als kruissteek pakket

TL;DR: You can create Fabritius' The Goldfinch yourself as a pre-printed cross-stitch kit or as a Paint by Number. A compact, lifelike bird — small in size, big in charm.

About the painting

Carel Fabritius, a pupil of Rembrandt, painted The Goldfinch in 1654 — the same year he died in the Delft gunpowder disaster. It depicts a goldfinch tethered by a chain to its feeding dish. It hangs in the Mauritshuis and became world-famous through Donna Tartt's novel and film The Goldfinch. Despite its small size, it exudes a surprising amount of life.

Option 1: Embroidering The Goldfinch (cross-stitch)

The cross-stitch kit is pre-printed on 11CT canvas, so no counting is necessary. You embroider the warm brown and ochre tones of the plumage, the red head, and the soft grey background — a rewarding project full of detail. Complete with premium eco-cotton thread, needles, and a Dutch manual.

Option 2: The Goldfinch as Paint by Number

With Paint by Number, you color the bird section by section with numbered pens on premium canvas, no experience needed. Choose 24, 36, or 48 colors.

Embroidery or painting — what suits you?

  • Cross-stitch for the tranquility and texture of true craftsmanship.
  • Paint by Number for quick results without experience.

Undecided? Read our Paint by Number vs. Cross-stitch comparison.

Create your own Goldfinch

As a pre-printed cross-stitch kit or as Paint by Number.

Cross-stitch → · Paint by Number →

Frequently asked questions

Is The Goldfinch suitable for beginners?

Yes. It's compact and the kit is pre-printed; a nice, manageable project to start with.

Is this the painting from The Goldfinch?

Yes — The Goldfinch plays the main role in Donna Tartt's novel and film The Goldfinch.

Who is this a nice gift for?

For bird lovers, art fans, and readers of The Goldfinch.

Is this also available as Paint by Number?

Yes, view the Paint by Number version.

Conclusion

Small but powerful: creating your own The Goldfinch is a rewarding project with a great story. Choose your technique and bring Fabritius' masterpiece to life step by step.

Start with your own photo

Choose a photo you treasure and see your preview straight away. We’ll turn it into a complete Paint by Numbers kit.

Start with your photo

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