Color and Shape: The Art of the American Theorem

In the early years of the 19th century, theorem painting was a popular activity in both the school and home. Young girls were taught to use stencils to create colorful still life pictures, usually painted on fabric. Ladies’ magazines of the period also gave instruction to those wanting to try the technique at home. This exhibition in the Guyton Gallery, features 11 paintings, exploring how the theorems were made and how individual artists, using very similar stencils, created their own take on the subject. Today many of the theorems survive without the name of the maker, but four pieces in the exhibition are signed, providing the opportunity to take a closer look at the diverse backgrounds of the artists.

Credit: Exhibition overview from museum website.