Paintings Jeremiah Theus (1710-1774)

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1753 Jeremiah Theus (1716-1774). Elizabeth Martin (Mrs. Jacob Motte).

Jeremiah Theus was born in Chur, Switzerland, on April 5, 1716 and died in Charleston, South Carolina, May 17, 1774. At age 19, Theus arrived in South Carolina in 1735 with his family.

1753 Jeremiah Theus (1716-1774). Elizabeth Prioleau Roupell.

South Carolina's General Assembly encouraged European Protestants to settle in the colony by providing transportation funds and supplying immigrants with farm tools and a year’s stock of food. Theus's family received a 250-acre land grant on the Edisto River and a town lot.

1755 Jeremiah Theus (1716-1774). Suzanna Moore Smyth

By 1740, he began serving as the area's only resident portraitist. He may have received some training in Switzerland and brought some prints with him to South Carolina.

1756 Jeremiah Theus (1716-1774). Portrait of a Lady.

Theus referred to a somewhat limited number of English mezzotint portraits for his client's poses and costumes. He also stylized facial features of his sitters, resulting in many similar portraits.


1756 Jeremiah Theus (1716-1774). Martha Logan (Mrs. Lionel Chalmers).

On August 30, 1740, Jeremiah Theüs advertised in the South-Carolina Gazette:Notice is hereby given, that Jeremiah Theus Limner is remov’d into the Market Square near Mr. John Laurans Sadler, where all Gentlemen and Ladies may have their Pictures drawn, likewise Landskips of all Sizes, Crests, and Coats of Arms for Coaches or Chaises. Likewise for the Conveniency of those who live in the Country, he is willing to wait on them at their respective Plantations.


1757 Jeremiah Theus (1716-1774). Elizabeth Rothmahler.

About 200 hundred portraits from South Carolina and Savannah, Georgia area are attributed to him.


1757 Jeremiah Theus (1716-1774). Elizabeth Wragg Manigault.

He also painted landscapes and coats of arms, and by 1744, was offering an evening drawing school for "young Gentlemen and Ladies" at his house in Charleston.

1757 Jeremiah Theus (1716-1774). Mrs Gabriel Manigault.

His popularity is apparent in a letter written to him by James Habersham (1715–1775), who served as acting colonial governor of Georgia from 1771 to 1773. In July 1772, Habersham wrote to Theüs, "I received...all my Family Pictures, besides Mr Wylly’s, and Mrs Crookes, Coll Jones’ Grandchild, and two for Mr Clay, which are all delivered—I have also your account for my 7 Pictures, amounting to Three Hundred and twenty Pounds South Carolina Currency, which I shall order to be paid you."


1760 Jeremiah Theus (1716-1774). Mary Trusler.


1761 Jeremiah Theus (1716-1774). Polly Ouldfield of Winyah.

1765 Jeremiah Theus (1715-1774) Hannah Dart.


1765 Jeremiah Theus (1716-1774). Mary (Mrs. James Cuthbert).


1770s Jeremiah Theus (1716-1774). Elizabeth Vanderhorst Moore.

1770 Jeremiah Theus (1716-1774). Mrs. Garner Greene.

1771 Jeremiah Theus (1716-1774). Marcy Olney.
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