Portrait of Elizabeth Allen (Mrs. John Deas, 1742-1802)
Date1759
Attributed to
Jeremiah Theus
(1716 - 1774)
MediumOil on canvas (later affixed to a Masonite panel)
DimensionsUnframed: 30 3/16 x 25 1/4in. (76.7 x 64.1cm) and Framed: 36 13/16 x 32 1/4 x 2 1/4in.
Credit LineMuseum Purchase, Mark and Loretta Roman and The Friends of Colonial Williamsburg Collections Fund
Object number2012-91
DescriptionA near three-quarter-length portrait of a young woman, her body turned three-quarters towards the viewer's left, her head to near front, and her gaze on the viewer.The gilded, 3 7/8-inch frame appears to be period and may be original. It is joined with corner splines on the back. It bears a rope-twist liner, a [once sanded?] cove followed by beading and an outer edge heavily-ornamented with bosses. The outer edge of the back frame bears a shallow-carved repetitive motif.
Label TextStylistically, the portrait is readily attributable to Swiss-born Jeremiah Theus, but it is a particularly appealing example of the prolific painter's work, not only thanks to the subject's youthfulness, physical attractiveness, and self-possession but also to the painter's skill in capturing these qualities. The oyster white color of Elizabeth Allen's gown is strikingly complemented by the vivid reds and blues of her flowers and costume details, while its sheen and texture invite visual caress.
The subject is thought to have been painted about the time of the her May 3, 1759, marriage to John Deas (1735-1790), a well-to-do planter and merchant who had emigrated from Scotland to America. The couple resided at Thorogood, a plantation located near the headwaters of Goose Creek (an affluent of the Ashley River) and one that was pillaged by British forces during the Revolution. (John, a patriot, left pithy remarks about his participation in the siege of Charleston; see Middleton, "Bibliography," p. 110.)
The portrait descended in the family of the subject until its 2012 purchase by Colonial Williamsburg. The acquisition reunites the painting with an impressive piece of furniture originally owned by the subject and her husband, a Charleston-made double chest acquired by Colonial Williamsburg in 1974.
MarkingsA brass plaque on the front of the lower frame member is engraved to read: "ELIZABETH ALLEN DEAS (1742-1802)/By JEREMIAH THEUS (AM. 1719-1774)/COLL: J. A. MANNING CMA 68.36.64".
A loan exhibition label on the back of the upper frame member is partly press-printed and partly typewritten (with the last line hand-written in graphite); it reads: "Columbia Museum of Art/Columbia, South Carolina/ACC. NO. 68.36.64/ARTIST Jeremiah Theus/TITLE ELIZABETH ALLEN DEAS/MEDIUM oil/canvas (Masonite-/backed)/DONOR [preceding word struck through] Mr. & Mrs. John Adger/Manning/TEMPORARY LOAN/CAT. NUMBER/(2-3)".
A small, press-printed sticker on the back of the righthand (viewed from the back) frame member is filled in by hand; it reads: "DATA AND PHOTOGRAPHS OF THIS PIECE/RECORDED BY/MUSEUM OF EARLY SOUTHERN DECORATIVE ARTS/WINSTON-SALEM, NORTH CAROLINA 27108/DATE 10/10/78/REFER TO S-8826".
ProvenanceFrom the sitter to her daughter, Mary Deas Broun (Mrs. Archibald Broun) (1762-1857); to her daughter, Elizabeth Allen Broun Sinkler (Mrs. William Sinkler)(1783 or 1785-1821 or 1824) of Eutaw Plantation, Berkeley County, SC; to her [?; relationship undetermined], Richard Irvine Manning I (1789-1836), and his wife, Elizabeth Peyre Richardson Manning (1794-1852 or 1873); to their son, Richard Irvine Manning II (1817-1861) and his wife, Elizabeth Allen Sinkler Manning (1821-1908); to their son, Richard Irvine Manning III (1859-1931), and his wife, Lelia Bernard Meredith Manning (1861-1947); to their son, John Adger Manning (1899-1986) and his wife, Margaret Sams Elliott Manning (1905-1983); to their daughter, Mrs. Margaret Elliott Manning Andrews (d. 2005); to her son, Edward Andrews, who consigned the portrait to the Brunk Auction of May 12, 2012, whence CWF acquired it.
Exhibition(s)
Probably 1838-1842
