Pith Painting Pattern

Part of the HSEAD Theorem collection of originals includes three lovely pith paintings.  This design is one of the three from the collection.  The origin of pith painting and the use of the stencil both appeared in the Western world from China circa 1700’s when (with the China Trade) whole albums of pictures were done with watercolor on what they called “rice paper”. The “rice paper” is actually not paper, but a white pith that is found in the layer just under the bark of a tree-like plant from China resembling our Sycamore.  This pith has a velvety surface.  When the English attempted to simulate these pith paintings the closest surface to pith was cotton velveteen.  Hence the connection between our theorem painting and pith paintings was actually the surface being painted on.  For more information about Pith painting see Harvard University Herbaria at www.huh.harvard.edu/ (clicking on Chinese Botanicals will give you pith painting).

The three original pith paintings from our collection have been recorded.  The patterns and color photos will be available from the Sales Portfolio after the Spring 2011 meeting. They are lovely to paint but are not acceptable for judging.              

–  Alice D. Smith