Lot 458: JEREMIAH THEUS (1716/17 - MAY 1774)

PROPERTY OF OTHER OWNERS

PORTRAIT OF A LADY WITH PEARLS AND PEARL PENDANT

PORTRAIT OF A LADY WITH PEARLS AND PEARL PENDANT

30 by 24 1/2 in. (76.2 by 62.2cm)

oil on canvas

NOTE

This painting, in remarkably original condition, appears to be a member of a group of similar portraits (circa 1760s) which clearly demonstrates this important early Southern artist's lively and refined but somewhat naive style.

Jeremiah Theus (b. April 5, 1716 in Switzerland; d. May 17, 1774, Charleston, South Carolina) was an important portrait artist of prominent South Caroline families from 1740 until his death in 1774. Drawing on a stylized stock rendering of poses and sumptuous dress, too fine for any colonial woman of the time, Theus took almost identical poses and dress from the most current English mezzotints for the composition of many of his portraits of Charleston's aristocracy.

This portrait seems to directly relate to one of his largest series from teh 1760d from an unknown mezzotint source with women wearing a blue-gray overdress and pearl choker. Ironically, Theus' treatment of fabric, lace and jewelry, which was largely copied from other sources, as many prominent artists of the time did, is often his greatest triumph.

The accompanying frame of mahogany and mahogany veneer on cypress is an unbelievable example of early Charleston woodwork with original finish. Theus is known to have purchased frames for his portraits from the venerable Charleston cabinetmaker Thomas Elfe and is included in his ledger book. This frame in original finish represents the only known example of an untouched finish from this period.