(Charleston, South Carolina/Chur, Switzerland, 1716-1774)
Rare and Important Wedding Portrait, circa 1760, not visibly signed, oil on canvas, 29-1/2 x 24-1/2 in.; period and possibly original bolection frame, bald cypress strainer, 32-1/2 x 27-3/4 x 1-1/4 in.
Provenance: Acquired by the current owner from the sale of the Estate of George Withers, Sommerset, England
Note: We are excited to share the recent discovery of a previously unknown work by Jeremiah Theus. It was offered at a regional English house, Dore & Rees, lot 21, February 21, 2024. Sold in a lot of four English portraits from the estate of the dealer/collector, George Withers, link to bio - https://www.doreandrees.com/the-private-collection-of-george-withers) this is the portrait that was pictured online.
While the sitter has not been identified, there are stylistic similarities that point to a possible connection with a well documented portrait of William Richardson, by Theus. https://artgallery.yale.edu/collections/objects/45313
This portrait is held by the Yale University Art Gallery. Style would appear to place our portrait around the same time of execution. If the painting on offer is a wedding portrait then one might assume there would be a pendant portrait of the groom. Anne Magdalen Guignard married Capt. William Richardson in St. Philip's Parish, Charleston on 13 October 1768. The portrait of William Richardson could be this wedding portrait executed in advance of his military service. Perhaps we are looking at a portrait of his young bride Anne. The couple lived and are buried at Bloomhill Plantation in Sumter County, South Carolina. An advertisement in the Charleston Courier (online) 31 July 1869 references that Bloomhill Plantation and its contents were purchased by two English Gentleman (see image in note). Perhaps this rare Charleston portrait found its way to England with one of them.
There is room for continued research, and perhaps the sitter's name will remain an enigma.
Click here is read Martha R. Severens, Jeremiah Theus of Charleston: “Plagiarist or Pundit?”, published in Southern Quarterly; Hattiesburg Vol. 24, Iss. 1, (Fall 1985): 56.
Available payment options
Acquired by the current owner from the sale of the Estate of George Withers, Sommerset, England
fine brushwork and excellent detail, surface with crackle and stretcher marks, modern varnish coat, lined and re stretched with original stretchers retained, please see extensive conservation report and blacklight photos； frame with some glue repairs at corners, nicks and dings on molding, good age/patina verso, substantial custom built crate that will confer to the buyer Note - Brunk Auctions makes every effort to offer accurate and thorough information, but encourages prospective bidders to inspect items in person whenever possible. Condition statements are provided as a courtesy for general guidance and should not be considered complete or definitive. They do not represent a warranty or assumption of liability by Brunk Auctions. Certain condition issues may not be specifically noted in the report but may be visible in the accompanying photographs, which are considered part of the overall condition report. Please refer to our Terms of Sale for complete information and contact us for additional photos or information as needed.
