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Views of Berks County Almshouse, 1878

This detailed folk art painting, titled "Views of the Buildings & Surroundings of the Berks County Almshouse, 1878," offers a panoramic depiction of the institution and its rural setting. The central oval frame showcases a sprawling complex of red brick buildings, including a prominent central structure with a white dome and cupola, surrounded by agricultural fields, greenhouses, and smaller outbuildings. Horse-drawn carriages and figures suggest daily life and activity. Smaller framed vignettes around the perimeter provide additional views of the surrounding landscape, farms, and individual structures, highlighting the self-sufficiency and pastoral environment of the almshouse. The artwork is rich in color and detail, characteristic of 19th-century American folk art, capturing a specific historical moment and place with a charming, illustrative style.

Colour palette