Joseph H. Davis

(Am. 1811-1865)

Portrait of Jonathan and Abigail Hill, 1836

Watercolor on paper, framed under glass

Inscribed "Painted at Bow Pond July 2nd 1836 by Joseph H. Davis Left Hand Painter" l.c., inscribed "Jonathan Hill. Aged 73 May 22, 1836" l.l., inscribed "Abigail Hill. Aged 71 July 8th 1836" l.r.

9 5/8" x 14 5/8" sight, 11 1/8" x 16 1/8" framed

Other Notes: Conservation report available upon request

Throughout his career in the mid-19th century, itinerant artist Joseph H. Davis created around 150 portraits of Maine and New Hampshire residents. As seen here in his 1836 portrait of Jonathan and Abigail Hill, his works consistently show the couple facing each other at a table that is holding objects representative of their careers and lifestyles. Despite his prolific work and distinctive style, the exact identity of Joseph H. Davis, left-handed painter, was a mystery until 1989. Art historians Arthur and Sybil Kern were able to pinpoint his identity due to the detailed information about his sitters included on each of his works. By cross-referencing the locations and dates of his sitters with records of artists named Joseph Davis, the painter was found to be a Limington, Maine farmer nicknamed “Pine Hill Joe”. Today, Davis’s work has been exhibited widely throughout New England and is prized by American folk art collectors.