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The advent of painting using stencils, theorem painting, began early in the 19th century. It rose in popularity to peak about 1840, and surpassed embroidery in desirability as an elegant accomplishment for a young woman.
Theorem paintings are watercolors or oils on velvet or paper. Whether painted freehand or more characteristically by using stencils, this type of painting was constructed in parts, according to a kind of formulas. It consisted of tracing a design on transparent paper, cutting out the pattern and using the resulting stencil. Despite the use of stencils, it required considerable deftness and imagination to combine shapes and shaded colors into pleasing designs. The still life composition was a popular motif, often depicting fruit or flower baskets, or birds.
There survives today numerous theorem paintings in the same style, which suggests that students copied the professionally made examples of their teacher. The variations occur in choosing colors, which were colored powders mixed with gum tragacanth and water to a starch consistency. The colors were applied almost dry using a stubby bristled brush called a scrub, using a circular motion.
After the 1840's, theorem painting lost popularity, as needlework art flourished. It revived in the Victorian era, and then again became popular in the 1960's.
Artist
Unidentified Artist
(American)
Fruit In Turquoise Blue Waterford Bowl
Datec. 1820-1830
MediumOil on velvet
DimensionsSight: 17 1/2 × 22 in. (44.5 × 55.9 cm)
Object numberN0348.1961
Credit LineCollection of the Fenimore Art Museum. Gift of Stephen C. Clark
Photograph by Richard Walker
Label TextNo young lady's education, in the early 19th century, was complete without instruction in needlework, drawing and painting. We know from the records of female seminaries and day schools that studies for young women included algebra, astronomy, botany, geology, chemistry, history and philosophy, as well as art, music and calisthenics.The advent of painting using stencils, theorem painting, began early in the 19th century. It rose in popularity to peak about 1840, and surpassed embroidery in desirability as an elegant accomplishment for a young woman.
Theorem paintings are watercolors or oils on velvet or paper. Whether painted freehand or more characteristically by using stencils, this type of painting was constructed in parts, according to a kind of formulas. It consisted of tracing a design on transparent paper, cutting out the pattern and using the resulting stencil. Despite the use of stencils, it required considerable deftness and imagination to combine shapes and shaded colors into pleasing designs. The still life composition was a popular motif, often depicting fruit or flower baskets, or birds.
There survives today numerous theorem paintings in the same style, which suggests that students copied the professionally made examples of their teacher. The variations occur in choosing colors, which were colored powders mixed with gum tragacanth and water to a starch consistency. The colors were applied almost dry using a stubby bristled brush called a scrub, using a circular motion.
After the 1840's, theorem painting lost popularity, as needlework art flourished. It revived in the Victorian era, and then again became popular in the 1960's.
On View
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