Colonial Williamsburg Theorem Exhibit

The theorem painting exhibit opened in 2017 at the Dewitt Museum in Colonial Williamsburg.  The exhibit is titled: ” Color and Shape: The Art of the American Theorem”. We hope you enjoy the new exhibit on theorems as much as we did. The display video is by Nancy Rosier. Enjoy!

About The Exhibit

The exhibit mainly consists of antique theorems that are a part of their collection. The subjects of theorems were mostly fruit and floral still life. They were usually painted on cream colored cotton velveteen fabric. Theorems are executed with the aid of hand cut stencils.

Video Tapping

I was asked by Laura P Barry, associate curator at Colonial Williamsburg to illustrate how a theorem is painted. Colonial Williamsburg has a fine filming department so I was filmed there. The video we produced this past summer is approximately three minutes long and  is part of the exhibit in the Guyton Gallery.

Exhibit Reproductions Available

The exhibit contain traditional theorem painting that were created in the 1810 to 1860 time frame.  Below I have examples of the original theorems and my adaptation of that theorem.