Design from Gorham, Maine 1800: from Proposed Portfolio "Maine Wall Stencils" 1935 - 1942

This design, "Design from Gorham, Maine 1800", is a hand-painted watercolor by Mildred E. Bent, from her proposed portfolio "Maine Wall Stencils." The design features a red and brown stylized flower, and a row of small, teardrop-shaped designs, mimicking the pattern of a wall stencil. The painting was likely created as a study for a full-scale wall stencil design in Bent’s collection of folk art patterns from Maine. It captures the spirit of early American decorative motifs, highlighting the artistic traditions of the region. The image is an important record of the history of home decoration in Maine during the early 19th century.