On October 4, 2005, the Division of Historic Properties acquired an original Paul Sawyier watercolor of the Berry Mansion in Frankfort, Kentucky. The painting, which is of the west view of Berry Mansion, was painted between 1904 and 1908, and is one of eleven paintings commissioned from Sawyier, with each scene specifically designated by Mr. and Mrs. George Franklin Berry.
The Berrys were a significant part of the Frankfort community and Berry Mansion is documented frequently as the site of many lavish social events. The painting is still in its original frame and retains a label from Brower's furniture store in Lexington, Kentucky. The original is currently hanging in the Berry Mansion Library Room and is open to the public during regular tour hours.
The artist, Paul Sawyier, was born in Table Rock in Madison County, Ohio on March 23, 1865. Sawyier, whose artistic talents were evident from a young age, moved to Frankfort with his parents when he was five. He studied his craft at the Cincinnati Art Academy before moving to New York City for further training. He then moved to Covington, Kentucky to study under Frank Duveneck, a famous oil painter. Sawyier returned to Frankfort upon completion of his studies. He made a living primarily by painting portraits commissioned by well-to-do families, as well as scenes of the Elkhorn Creek and Kentucky River. He died on November 8, 1917 at the age of 52 and is buried in the Frankfort Cemetery.
The Division of Historic Properties, which is housed at Berry Mansion, is excited to see this painting return home and commissioned 500 prints in May of 2006 to commemorate the occasion, with an official unveiling and exhibition taking place on June 5th, 2006.
The original artwork was restored by renowned paper conservator Christine Young of Nashville, Tenn. A limited number of prints have been produced for the Division of Historic Properties by Gerald Printing of Bowling Green, Kentucky. The prints are $30 and may be purchased at the open house; online at the Historic Properties Store in the Kentucky.gov Online Mall; or by calling the Division of Historic Properties at 502/564-3000, ext. 228.