ROCKBRIDGE CO., VALLEY OF VIRGINIA FOLK ART REWARD OF MERIT PORTRAIT, watercolor and ink on paper, a bust-length depiction of a young lady with floral bouquet in her hair, green dress with lace edging, and yellow shawl, inscribed "A Reward for Sarah Lyle / October 27, 1844 E. Davis." at lower edge. Housed in a modern frame. Dated 1844. 4 1/2" x 3 7/8" sheet.
Provenance: Descended in the Lyle/Marks family, Rockbridge Co., VA.
Catalogue Note: This portrait was recently discovered at an estate auction in Fairfield, VA only five miles from Timber Ridge, VA where Sarah Little "Sallie" Lyle (1837-1917) lived her entire life. She married Wyatt Lewis Marks (1838-1913) in 1865 and the couple had four children. When Sarah died she was the oldest resident of Timber Ridge as well as the oldest member of the Associates Reformed Presbyterian Church, where she was referred to as "mother."
The identity of "E. Davis", presumably the artist of this portrait, has yet to be established. It is most likely that he/she was a teacher at the school Sarah attended as a seven-year old student.
Fine condition with bright colors, light horizontal fold to center and several small brown spots.