1866-1890 press releases

1835-1890

Charles Schumacher came from Prussia to America in 1853. He lived in Maine and later in Boston. He is not very known in the art world but is thought to be one of the pioneers in this style trompe l' oeil painting. These are photos of the Union Meeting House in Readfield, Maine that he painted in 1867.

These walls and ceiling are flat. There is no plaster plaques, no columns, no arched hall, just fine trompe l' oeil.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

He lived in the Portland, ME. area and advertised his work for painting Churches, Hotels, and fine Mansions. Like others of this era, he used dis-temper paints for his decorative work. Along with his brother and sons they also owned an art store.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mr. Schumachers walls and ceilings were restored in the church in 1873 by another painter named Vallentine L. Keiler of Portland, ME. After investigating and trying to find who painted the "Rockland" trompe l' oeil, there is a house in North Anson, ME. with very similar style and paint colors that has the name Vallentine Keiler engraved on a beam. At this point we believe he is also responsible for painting in Rockland.