CELIA PERONNEAU MATHEWES (CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA,) LANDSCAPE DRAWING, pencil on paper, a well-executed rural scene featuring a farmer and his wife driving cattle down a country road by a river. Signed and dated "C. Mathewes / 1878" lower left. Retains old cardboard backing with Charleston, SC framer's label verso. Housed under glass (not laid down) in an old molded wood frame. Circa 1878. 12" x 15" object, 13 7/8" x 17 5/8" OA.

Provenance: From a Virginia private collection.
Catalogue Note: Celia Peronneau Mathewes (1864 - 1958) was an important figure in South Carolina politics during the late 19th century and first half of the 20th century. Born in Charleston to parents William Raven Mathewes (1829 - 1905) and Eliza Peronneau (1835 - 1923), both from old established Charleston families, Celia may have completed this drawing in conjunction with her education at a "finishing" school. She married William Campbell McGowan, son of noteworthy Confederate General Samuel McGowan, and the couple lived near the General in Abbeville, eventually moving into his large Victorian home in town, now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Celia Mathewes served as president of the South Carolina United Daughters of the Confederacy from 1897 - 1899 and became the first female member of the Charleston City Council in 1923. The present lot represents an early work by a talented and groundbreaking female figure of the New South.

Very good condition overall with minor areas of toning, foxing, folds, and crease lines.