Lot 222: Watercolor Painting made in Gallatin, TN 1830s

Circa 1832 Sumner County Tennessee schoolgirl Theorem by Catherine Hassel of Gallatin. The watercolor on paper image, possibly emblematic of Harvest or national Bounty, features a young woman seated on a wall in a lush garden, holding a basket overflowing with grapes in one hand and raising a goblet in the other hand towards a gilt eagle flying overhead; the leaves in the eagle's mouth extend to a flowering vine border encircling the scene and centered at the bottom by a pair of gilt painted cornucopias. Signed "Catherine Hassel, Gallatin" lower center. 17"H x 22"W. Framed under glass in a later frame, 27" x 23". Inscription en verso of cardboard (copied to a label on back of framing materials) by Mary Jane Blue Kline states this painting was done by her grandmother Catherine Gray prior to 1832. Catherine Hassel was born in 1816, the daughter of Jennet and Jane Hassel. She married Charles Gray in Gallatin in 1832 and this image, possibly borrowed from a period print, was executed about that time. By the 1850 census, she and Charles Gray were still living in Sumner County and had three children.

CONDITION: In need of conservation. Paper is fragile and toned and glued to a cardboard support but is starting to separate from it in some areas particularly at center, with cardboard bowing slightly. Dampstaining to upper right corner, with foxing along right edge. Two long thin vertical streaks of gray reside to center. Tear and chipping at signature. 3" tear at top center, affecting eagle. Small 1/2" tear to center affecting woman's gown. Examination under UV light does not indicate any later repainting. Crease at upper left corner, 6 1/2".