Bowdoin College Homepage
Bowdoin College Museum of Art Logo and Wordmark

Advanced Search
Preview image of work. oil on linen, 'Our Life is One of Lights & Shadows' banner, Portland, 1841 21156

2010.43.10.1-.2

Recommend keywords

Help us make our collections more accessible by providing keywords to describe this artwork. The BCMA uses the Getty Art & Architecture Thesaurus to provide consistent keywords. Enter a keyword in the field below and you will be prompted with a list of possible matching AAT preferred terms.

 
 

'Our Life is One of Lights & Shadows' banner, Portland, 1841

Export record as: Plain text | JSON | CDWA-Lite | VRA Core 4

Artist

William Capen, Jr.

Title

'Our Life is One of Lights & Shadows' banner, Portland, 1841

Creation Date

1841

Century

mid-19th century

Dimensions

35 x 40 in. (88.9 x 101.6 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

2010.43.10.1-.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 "OUR LIFE IS ONE OF LIGHTS & SHADOWS" in black with brown shadowing. Under which is a cornucopia of fruit having a trailing rose vine and leafy scroll. The center of the cornucopia with a painter's palette and brushes. The title having a background of sunset colors from light blue to pink to yellow. All on a white silk background. The reverse with "PAINTERS, GLAZIERS AND BRUSH MAKERS." in large black letters with a reddish letter shadow all against a white silk background.

Per the Maine Memory Network in conjunction with the Maine Historical Society - October 2015:
One of 17 painted linen banners created by the painters group of the Maine Charitable Mechanic Association for a parade in Portland on Oct. 8, 1841.

The organization of skilled craftsmen promoted the mechanic arts and supported needy members and their families.

The two-sided banner reads, "Our Life is One of Lights & Shadows" on the front and "Painters, Glaziers and Brush Makers" on the reverse.

9400 College Station
Brunswick, ME 04011
 (207) 725-3275 artmuseum@bowdoin.edu
Back to top of page »