1812 Georgetown, Kentucky Theorem

The earlier of the two paper notes pasted to the backboard reads in brown inked script, “ Painted By Lodowick Davis 1812 Born 1793”. Quite unusual for a young man to engage in theorem paintings. The great majority are unsigned so possibly the gender assumptions are not yet fully understood. The 1812 date will place this example among the earlier known theorems painted in America. The second quarter of the 19th century will catch the greater majority of the surviving population. The 1820 Federal census lists Lodowick Davis at Scott County, Kentucky where his tombstone survives in the Georgetown, Ky. cemetary confirming the birth date scribed on the note. See support image of gravestone.

Condition: Silk is wrinkled with damp stain to the lower perimeter. Stain invades the green board support extending to the corner on the base of the basket at the viewer’s right. Evidently once stretched in an earlier frame which reduced the viewing area to 10” x 12. This frame appears to be of mid 19th century origin with a wavy and bubbled cover glass. Likely reframed then and removed from the previous stretcher support and laid loose so to expand the ground space. The brown inked note was formerly attached to the back of the work and removed to the back board along with a later penned copy of the original which was previously applied. A thin acid free board has been inserted behind the silk to retard further toning. A clear plastic liner was added between the flange of the frame and the work to separate the silk from the glass. There are three tiny holes to the silk near the upper frame sited over the higher grape cluster. These total less than a 1/8” square inch loss. The honeydew melon has a black speck which on close examination reveals itself as a painted bug. Unusually nice condition considering the vulnerable fabric.