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Double-Sided Geometric Adventist (Millerite) Drawing
CLICK HERE to see and Instagram Reel discussing this work.
This highly complex drawing relates to the Millerite movement, which foresaw the Second Coming of Christ by March 21, 1844. The drawing consists of intricate, symmetrically arranged combinations of geometric patterns, manicules pointing to important information, illustrations of chains, and numerous biblical references and names.
William Miller (1782-1849) and his followers believed that the Second Coming of Christ would occur by March 21, 1844, and that a new age would begin the following day, March 22, 1844.
Profusely noted with Biblical prophecy and the future apocalypse. Sacred numbers are referenced throughout, such as "44" and various Christian churches, including the Shakers —an Adventist sect formally known as the United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing. Drawings of mystical chains link the past to a future revelation, the sun, and the moon, and manicules point at key design elements. Millerite theology taught that the Second Coming or Advent of Christ aligned with a Biblical prophecy about rebuilding the Temple in Jerusalem. Harbingers of Christ's Second Coming are incorporated into the drawing's design and text.
The drawing comprises four symmetrically arranged panels of complex geometric patterns. It contains fractal-like depictions of circles emanating from circles emanating from still more circles, triangular spaces, and cordiform or heart-shaped spaces within which are inscribed biblical verses. These citations and their arrangements within the drawing present the doctrine of Christ's Second Coming in 1844.
The first line of the more complex side reads, "I wish you would tell me, Sir, what you mean by drawing this figure that looks like a chain. Please turn to Third chapter according to LUKE / Beginning at Twenty-Third verse in rebuke."
This line appears above a drawing of a chain that spans the sheet, linking three columns of 22 books each from both the Old and New Testaments. There are references at the feet of the left and right columns to the 22nd chapters of Matthew and the Book of Revelations (or Apocalypse); the latter states, "Behold, I come quickly [i.e., an Advent]: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book." (verse 7) A chain at the bottom links the books of the Bible and the Jews and the Gentiles. The second poetical couplet refers to Luke 3:23 and the genealogy of "Jesus... the son of Joseph" recounted there.
Many Biblical references relate to the idea of a 50-year Jubilee, specifically Leviticus 25:10: "And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout [all] the land unto all the inhabitants thereof: it shall be a jubilee unto you..." (KJV).
Notably, the number "44" is found at the center of the drawing, between the two large circles, and in at least one other place, embedded in the list of books of the Bible at the bottom of the sheet. The drawing also explicitly references the Book of Revelation 4:4, which describes 24 elders seated around God's throne, and implicitly references 1844, a kind of "proof text" to validate the year of Christ's Second Coming.
The drawing depicts 24 circles from a center circle labeled "Throne." At the bottom right of the drawing is a geometrically constructed heart-shaped field filled with references to the Biblical story of Jacob (also known as Israel) and his son, the Patriarch Joseph, as recounted in the 37th chapter of Genesis. Here, a drawing of the sun surmounts the words "Groom," "Sun," and "Father;" alongside a drawing of the moon and the parallel words "Mother," "Moon," and "Bride." There are also references to Jacob's twin brothers, Esau, Rachel, and John.
On the left side of the other side or verso is "March 22 Day, 1844," the first day of the new dispensation. The drawing references Two American Presidents, Andrew Jackson, his birthday and age in March of 1844 (referencing a mystical number 7 and noting him as "7th President" and being "Aged 77 y[r]s.") and John Tyler, predicting his future resignation.
The year 1844 is cited four times, and poetical verses surround this portion of the drawing, each quatrain separated by a drawing of a long chain: "The DEVIL has ruled Six-Thousand years / By falsehood and deceit Which has excited many fears / While on his Judgement SEAT. Tyler, his office will resign. / In Eighteen-Hundred Forty-Four. Times end according to the Sign / Then comes the Judgement of the Whore."
The center of the large circle has the word "SHAKER" lettered in six smaller circles. Six identically sized circles name six Protestant denominations: Baptist, Congregationalist, Methodist, Unitarian, Perfectionism, and Universalist.
The drawing herein reminds me of the drawings at The American Folk Art Museum, Anything but Simple: Gift Drawings and the Shaker Aesthetic. Shaker drawings include examples of heart-shaped drawings and drawings accompanied by texts. They also incorporated enigmatic lettering, circles, and quasi-heart forms into their pen-and-ink work.
"HOLINESS TO THE LORD" may refer to Zechariah 14, which inspired many apocalyptic prophecies: "Behold, the day of the Lord cometh... In that day shall there be upon the bells of the horses, Holiness unto the Lord" (verses 1 and 20). Below the "Holiness" circle with its American references is a geometrically constructed, heart-shaped field with a banner reading "The United States of America—1844."
HIGH RESOLUTION IMAGES AVAILABLE.
Condition: Very Good - Excellent with expected wear from age. In a custom double sided frame, artwork floated, with 8ply mats and Optium museum acrylic on both sides.
Price: $18,000.00
ALL ITEMS GUARANTEED AS REPRESENTED
