Bowdoin College Museum of Art | - Pastoral Landscape

Preview image of work. watercolor and silk on silk, in églomisé and gilt frame, Pastoral Landscape 25906

13.2013

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Pastoral Landscape

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Artist

Eunice Thompson Wilson (1788 - 1878)

Title

Pastoral Landscape

Creation Date

ca. 1806

Century

early 19th century

Dimensions

10 1/8 x 12 1/4 in. (25.72 x 31.12 cm)

Object Type

mixed media

Creation Place

North America, United States

Medium and Support

watercolor and silk on silk, in églomisé and gilt frame

Credit Line

Gift of Mrs. Ann Henry Wilson Pendleton, 1898

Copyright

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

Accession Number

13.2013

In his Curious Arts, Porter offered technical advice on art materials and processes intended “to combine recreation with improvements in useful knowledge.” The two objects on view here—an embroidered picture on silk and a side chair—illustrate some of his instructions. The Pastoral Landscape was created by Eunice Thompson Wilson of nearby Topsham, Maine as part of her formal schooling. Porter discussed how to decorate such a frame with its black and gilt reverse-painted mat proudly bearing her name. Grain-painting, represented by Walter Corey’s side chair, was a popular way to imitate costly hardwoods, such as mahogany or rosewood, and Porter also described this technique.

Object Description

From: Laura Fecych Sprague Date: Fri, 3 May 2013 12:32:53 -0400 To: "Laura J. Latman" Cc: Andrea Rosen , Joachim Homann Subject: figured out the silk needlework picture in Dr. 341 Hello Laura, I figured out the silk needlework in Dr. 341 (a candidate for the objects show). An embroidered and painted landscape on silk, the picture is in its original gilt frame with reverse painting on glass inscribed "Eunice Thompson." It's a great documented example of Maine schoolgirl needlework, ca. 1806. Can you give it a temp number so we can track it? Though maybe it needs an accession number. It's been at Bowdoin since 1903 or poss 1898. The back of the frame is inscribed "Pendleton" in ink with a series of initials "JSA VMG," the significance of which is unknown. The Pendleton names links it to "a piece of silk embroidery. Loaned by Mrs. A. H. Pendleton" that was on view in the basement corridor of the Walker Art Buildling per the Descriptive Catalogue of the Bowdoin College Art Collections, rev. ed., 1903, p. 72. Mrs. A. H. Pendleton was the donor of the Charles Wilson (Class of 1813 who died before graduating) chair and desk (desk is in President's office I think) and the windsor armchair (337.2005). Wilson is the connection. Eunice Thompson was born in 1788, daughter of Alexander and Lydia Wildes Thompson of Topsham; married General John Wilson (Wheeler's History of Brunswick . . ., p. 857). Mrs. A. H. Pendleton was the daughter of Eunice Thompson Wilson (New England Historical and Genealogical Register, vol. 103, pp.154-155). I haven't found the genealogy but I'm sure she's also the niece of Charles Wilson. Can you copy and paste this info into Embark? I'll get the dimensions and I think Andrea took a photo a few weeks ago. I'll be there Monday with Peter Follansbee. Thanks! Have a great weekend. Laura Laura F. Sprague Consulting Curator of Decorative Arts Bowdoin College Museum of Art *************************** 28 Orchard Street Portland, ME 04102 (207) 773-6068