Botanical sketches hint at the approach of spring
Some favorites from the collection
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Spring — real spring with warm weather, flowers, and budding trees — might actually be on its way to New England.
In anticipation of its arrival, I’m sharing some of my favorite sketches from the collection. We’ve used these images in exhibits and on invitations. They never cease to bring smile to my face.
The artist, Elizabeth Foster Kimball (1824-1903) was the stepmother of the donor. She was the second wife of John F. Kimball, father of the donor who gave her drawings to the History Center.
Elizabeth Foster was born July 15, 1824, in the family homestead on Salem Street. Her father, Moses Foster, was a militia lieutenant in 1820. He was known as “Flip” Foster.” He was also an innkeeper.
Very little has been found about Elizabeth’s early life. It must have been a busy household, as there were 5 children ages 10 and under when Elizabeth was born. When Elizabeth was 23 years old, her life at home changed dramatically. One of her four sisters died (a “maiden lady at age 30). Another left home when she married. A few years later, Elizabeth’s mother and another sister died. Elizabeth became the homemaker for her brother and father.
Sometime during this busy life of running a household, Elizabeth found time to practice sketching and painting with watercolors.
Watercolor painting was considered to be an essential element of a genteel woman’s life. She painted botanical sketches and local scenes, as well as famous scenes from far away, probably taken from books.
In 1867, at age 43 (likely long considered a “maiden lady” herself), Elizabeth married John Foster Kimball. She helped raise his two young daughters from a previous marriage. John, the second treasurer of the Andover Savings Bank, built a new house on Central Street in Andover. The couple were active members of Andover’s South Church, just down the street from their home. The Kimballs were married for 36 years.
Elizabeth was described as a “well-respected and gracious lady.” In a story that’s all too familiar, in 1903, when she was 80 years old, Elizabeth Foster Kimball fell on the ice and fractured her hip. She lingered for two weeks and died peacefully in her sleep. Her stepson donated her artwork to the History Center in 1948.
How about you? Are you looking forward to spring, or has it already sprung where you are? The wild roses outside my backdoor are still a few months away from blooming, but I’m looking forward to their arrival. Leave me a comment. I love to hear from you!
Thanks for reading!
~Elaine
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