Baldknob and Mastadon at 4 Years
colored pencil, gouache and watercolor on paper
each signed lower left and dated 1876, and inscribed along lower edge:

Baldknob was raised and fed by M.V.B. Davis Tramp's Head Retreat near Mechanicsburg Champaign County Ohio / Purchased by A.G. Thomas of London Madison Co. O. & slaughtered for the Holidays 1876. Weight 2700 lbs.

Mastadon, the best bullock ever slaughtered on the American continent, dressing over 77 lbs to the grass cwt. / Raised by M.V.B. Davis Champaign Co. O. Purchased by A.G. Thomas London Madison Co. O. & slaughtered for the Holidays 1876.

housed in matching monumental, original walnut frames.
Sight of each 22 1/2 x 27 1/2 inches.

According to information provided by his great great granddaughter, Andrew Gardner Thomas owned a slaughterhouse and butcher shop in London, Madison County, Ohio. Given the date these were painted, it seems likely they were executed to commemorate the Centennial Celebration of the United States.

Little is known of the artist, Carl Freigau. He is listed in Artists in Ohio, 1787-1900: a Biographical Dictionary and is known to have painted other animals. Hindman is aware of the existence of a similarly sized painting of an Ohio horse, as well as a smaller portrait of a pig, and Freigau is known to have been intimately involved with the development of the Poland China breed of hog. He died by his own hand in 1901. His son Ernest apparently also was an artist, specializing in portraits of hogs.