Highlights Archives
Donation Funds Conservation of Paintings
A generous donation by the Wisconsin Antiques Dealers Association through a grant to the FRIENDS of the Wisconsin Historical Society paid for the conservation of two of the Wisconsin Historical Museum's prized paintings: a landscape by renowned German-American folk artist Ernest Hupeden and a portrait of Mortimer M. Jackson by 19th-century Boston artist Edward L. Custer.
The Hupeden landscape is an oil painting that depicts the Burch-Boldon family homestead, located in Johnny Cake Valley between Hillsboro and Ontario, Wisconsin. Eli and Jane Boldon owned the home, and the painting depicts the couple in a carriage while their daughter Blanche runs out to greet them. The artist purportedly stayed with the family for a period of time while making this painting, dated August 30, 1906. A descendant of the Boldens donated the painting to the Society this year in memory of Shirley (Parrish) Hager, Irene (Burch) Parrish, and John and Blanche Burch.
The Custer portrait depicts Mortimer M. Jackson, a lawyer, politician, judge and diplomat, one of the early and meritorious pioneers of Wisconsin who took part in the organization of the Republican Party in 1854. He served in a variety of judicial and political roles, ultimately accepting an appointment as U.S. consul and later as consul general to Halifax, Nova Scotia, where he spent most of his career. In 1882 he returned to Madison, where he lived until his death in 1889. Edward Custer painted the portrait in 1880.
Paintings Professionally Treated by Art Conservator Barry Bauman
Both portraits were professionally treated by conservator Barry Bauman. During the last several years, Bauman has generously donated his time and talent to the conservation of a number of the Society's treasured paintings, including a portrait of George Washington by Thomas Sully and a portrait of Lucius Fairchild by John Singer Sargent. The gift by the Wisconsin Antique Dealers Association through a grant to the FRIENDS underwrote the cost of materials required to restore the Hupenden and Custer paintings to their former glory. The Society is grateful to the donor of the Hupeden painting, Barry Bauman, the Wisconsin Antique Dealers Association and the FRIENDS for their support.
:: Posted December 7, 2009
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