Bowdoin College Museum of Art | - Printers' banner, Portland, 1841

Preview image of work. oil on linen, Printers' banner, Portland, 1841 21151

2010.43.5.1-.2

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Printers' banner, Portland, 1841

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Artists

Arthur Shirley and Samuel Colesworthy ; Arthur Shirley (1782 - 1864); Samuel Colesworthy (1808 - 1899)

Title

Printers' banner, Portland, 1841

Creation Date

1841

Century

mid-19th century

Dimensions

40 15/16 x 42 15/16 in. (104 x 109 cm)

Object Type

textile/natural fiber

Creation Place

North America, United States, Maine

Medium and Support

oil on linen

Credit Line

Collections of the Maine Historical Society, purchased by a coalition of Maine museums, including the Bowdoin College Museum of Art, Barbara Cooney Porter Fund and Gift the Textile Arts Foundation (Robert D.Barton and Nancy Hemenway)

Copyright

This artwork may be under copyright. For further information, please consult the Museum’s Copyright Terms and Conditions.

Accession Number

2010.43.5.1-.2

Object Description

Per the James D. Julia Inc.'s Auction Catalogue (End of Summer Spectacular Maine Auction- 2010):
The hanging banner mounted to a round wood dowel with hanging loop having oil painted decoration on both sides with a light green later addition yarn fringe. One side with "THE TYRANT'S FOE-THE PEOPLE'S FRIEND." in black letters. The center of the banner having a painting of two printing machines. The whole having a applied black and white leafy scroll border all on a white silk background. The reverse with "FULCRUM FOR ARCHIMIDES' LEVER." in black letters. The center having a combined painted and printed scene of four men at a printing press and a Tuttle's patent press and an orange background having an engraving of a printer with press and figures. This side also has a black and white border of foliate scrolling. All on a white silk background.

Per the Maine Memory Network in conjunction with the Maine Historical Society - October 2015:
The Printers group of the Maine Charitable Mechanic Association represented their trade with illustrations of four men at a printing press and a Tuttle's patent press and the words "Fulcrum for Archimedes' Lever."

Archimedes is quoted as saying if he had a place to stand, he would move the earth, a quote that often accompanies an image of him pushing on the end of a lever that has the globe on the other end.

The other side of the painted linen banner has the words "The Tyrants's Foe: the People's Friend" surrounding two illustrations of printing presses."

The group participated in a parade on Oct. 8, 1841 in Portland with 16 other artisan groups of the Charitable Mechanic Association, a group that supported and promoted skilled artisans.

Arthur Shirley and Samuel Colesworthy, Charitable Mechanic members, painted the banner.