Charcoal Portrait, Margaret Elizabeth Dietrich Lipp
Description
Pastel-colored photo portrait mounted on canvas frame. A ("Denison Mfg. Co. U.S.A.) tag is attached to the back of the canvas. The following is written in cursive using black ink: "Margaret Elizabeth Dietrich/ Born April 8, 1831/ Married to Henry Gottlieb Lipp/ Oct. 8, 1854/ Died June 9, 1923."
Mrs. (Dietrich) Lipp faces the viewer. Her dark brown hair is parted in the center and pulled back. She has blue eyes and wears gold wire spectacles. She wears gold circle earrings in her pierced ears. Black clerical-type collar has decorative trim along top edge and edge of white collar next to her neck is visible. Her black dress is tucked in the front with decorative vertical embellishments, two bands/strips on either side. Sleeve caps are puffy.
The piece is not framed.
Year Range From
1860
Year Range To
1900
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
DAC
Storage Cabinet
Cabinet 2
Storage Shelf
Shelf 3
Storage Container
Box 0036
Object Name
Portrait
Oither Names
Pastel
Length (cm)
50.8
Length (ft)
1.6666666667
Length (in)
20
Width (cm)
40.64
Width (ft)
1.3333333333
Width (in)
16
Condition
Fair
Condition Date
2023-04-13
Condition Notes
Water stains across top. Clusters of foxing on left and on bottom. Edges worn and canvas beneath is showing.
Printed portrait of Thaddeus Stevens with full head of curly hair and stern gaze. Mounted in old molded oak frame with handcut paper window mat.
Under bust is "THADDEUS STEVENS: "OLD COMMONER./ APRIL 4, 1792 - AUGUST 11, 1808/ Chairman Committee of Ways and Means of U.S. House of Representatives during the Civil War./ FEARLESS CHAMPION OF FREEDOM FOR THE OPPRESSED./ His unique service to the Common schools of Pennsylvania lay in retaining upon the Statue Book the Law of 1834 against the will and purpose of the majority of a Legislature elected and pledged to its repeal. In old age he spoke of this stern contest/ with much interest, and seemed to regard the memorable speech of April 11, 1835, in its results to the cause of General Education in the Commonwealth the best work of his life."
At the bottom left is "Engraved by Rea.", at center is "Lincoln Art Series: Copyright 1899, by J.P. McCaskey, Publisher, Lancaster, Pa." and at right is "Photograph by Eberman." Lower section of image has engraver's name "REA Sc."
McCaskey was a lifelong educator, principal & longtime writer of The Pennsylvania School Journal. Bio Annals notes he was a proponent of memory work in literature and he produced and displayed good portraits of notables in education (Thaddeus Stevens, Thomas Burrowes, etc.) appropriate mottoes, vocal and instrumental music, etc. In his later years, McCaskey published at lease 20 engraved images, called the "Lincoln Art Series," for display in homes and schools. He distributed many thousand copies to all parts of the country. Sometime during is long career as educator he was awarded and honorary M.A. degree and later a PhD. degree, both from Franklin and Marshall College (Bio Annals) (Written by Wendell Zercher)
Minor stains with liquid stains at very bottom (sitting in damp area), incipient breaks and creases run horizontally in several areas. Silverfish damage scattered mostly at bottom and around top & sides of image. one spot of damage under tie.
Frame is dark on face with some wear. Framing materials acidic and unprofessional.
