A rare painting dating back to the Revolutionary War that may be the oldest depiction of colonial women’s role in the Revolutionary War was discovered hanging on a wall in a Big Apple apartment.
The painting, painted in 1777 by Pierre Eugène du Simitière, the Swiss artist known for painting the first portrait of George Washington, was discovered in an amateur collector’s apartment by a curator at the Museum of the American Revolution. It was done. The Washington Post reported.
“My heart was racing,” curator Matthew Kick told the magazine. “One of the soldiers was wearing a uniquely American garment called a hunting shirt. It was typical Continental Army clothing worn by American soldiers.”
A pen and ink sketch in Judith Hernstadt’s home depicts soldiers walking or riding alongside a wagon loaded with supplies, with two women and a baby sitting inside. .
That made this rare work of art a historical gem. It was the earliest known painting depicting his “camp followers,” his wives and daughters who accompanied the troops to help with cooking and other chores.
“I could tell Matthew was excited,” Herrnstadt said. “I was really happy that he appreciated his work. It was always a favorite of mine.”
She said she picked up the 15-by-5-inch painting 40 years ago.
After some detective work, Skitch identifies du Simitière as the artist and, examining a historical clip, learns that it depicts North Carolina troops marching through Philadelphia. .
Excited by the discovery, Hernstadt agreed to display the painting at the American Revolutionary War Museum, where it will be on hand when it opens to the public later this week, the newspaper reported.
