Self Portrait by Lilly Martin Spencer. Photos courtesy of the Ohio History Connection
One of the most popular female painters of the 19th century got her start in Ohio, and her work will be returning to the state's capital this weekend.
On July 2, the Ohio History Center will reveal its new exhibit, Echoes in Time Theatre: Lilly Martin Spencer, Artist.
Lilly Martin Spencer is a painter known best for her amusing domestic scenes. She was born in England in 1822 and worked in such places as Cincinnati and New York, but was raised in small town Marietta, Ohio. Known as a pioneer for women in the arts, she is one of the most popular and widely reproduced female artists of the mid-nineteenth century.
She was the main breadwinner for her family of 13 children, with her husband tending to household chores and taking care of the children, which was very unusual for the time period.
Shake Hands by Lilly Martin Spencer
The exhibit will feature 20 of Spencer's works, including paintings, charcoal and pencil drawings and personal letters. This includes her popular work, Shake Hands? To add to the exhibit, the Ohio History Center has also pulled 19th century domestic items such as stoneware bowls and wooden spoons from its collection to help illustrate the subjects of her paintings.
The Ohio History Center is the headquarters of the Ohio History Connection and houses the Ohio History Museum. The goal of the organization is to spark discovery of Ohio's history.
The Spencer exhibit opens on Saturday, July 1 and continues every Saturday in July from 1-3 p.m. Members and children under the age of five are admitted for free. For non-members, admission is $10 for general public, $8 for college students, $9 for senior citizens and $5 for youth ages 6-12. Click here to read more.
Hannah Herner is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at gbishop@cityscenemediagroup.com.
