Blue Sulpher Springs

DateSeptember 9, 1843

Possibly by Eliza Howard Simms Burd 1793 - 1860

MediumWatercolor and ink on wove paper

DimensionsFramed: 9 7/8" x 13" Unframed: Primary support (sheet containing pictorial composition): 7 5/16" x 10 5/8", (18.6 cm. x 27.0 cm.) Secondary support plus added side margins (see "Condition"): 8 5/16" x 11 5/16" (21.1 cm x 28.7 cm).

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1961.302.2

DescriptionIn the center of the composition is a three-story brick building with white columns and porches running the widths of both upper stories. Seven chimneys are on top. To either side stretch two-story wings, and beyond, to the left, is an extended two-story wing on a lower level of ground. To the red, still in line with the main building, are three detached one-story cottages. A drive leads straight from the viewer to the front entrance of the main building. A narrower drive or path leads diagonally toward the main building from lower red in the picture. A road leads back along the righthand side in the picture, then turns to run along in front of the detached cottages; at the beginning of the two-story wing, it forms a circle in front of the main building, doubling back on itself but also continuing beyond on the other side. A white-painted two rail fence encloses part of the area in front of these buildings. At far left is what appears to be a one-story frame building. At far red and facing the end of the attached brick cottages is a 2 1/2 story frame building set in a hillside. Trees dot the area in front, gently rolling tree-covered mountains are in the rear.Label TextFor centuries people have believed that drinking or bathing in natural occurrences of mineral waters or warm waters was conducive to good health, and by mid nineteenth century, resort hotels or spas had grown up around many American springs of this type. Accompanied by retinues of servants, wealthy families made annual pilgrimages to these resorts "to take the waters" and, increasingly, to meet friends in a fashionable setting. A variety of recreational activities, such as carriage and horseback rides, promenades, balls, and games, all catered to this clientele, making social life an important function of the springs, one that outweighed the salubrious aspects of the visits for many.

Blue Sulphur Springs is found in Greenbrier County, West Virginia (once part of Virginia). Ten other watercolors of popular area springs are known to have been created by the same artist, possibly Mrs. Edward Shippen Burd (Eliza Howard) of Philadelphia. The artist probably sketched the group as a recreational pastime and kept them as souvenirs of her visits to the respective resorts. The thirteen renderings descended as a group in Mrs. Burd's family until they were dispersed by sale in 1947.
Mark(s)In ink in script in the lower right corner of of the secondary support is "Blue Sulphur Springs, September 9th 1843." In the upper right corner of the reverse of the primary support is marking in ink that appears to read the same as the immediately preceding and that may be in the same hand (two supports were not separated, so cannot read well.).ProvenanceMay B. Foell (?); Old Print shop, New York, NY.