Jeremiah Theus: A Charleston Pioneer Jeremiah Theus (1716 – May 17, 1774) stands as a singular figure in the artistic landscape of colonial South Carolina—a Swiss-born painter who established himself as Charleston’s dominant portraitist during his lifetime. His legacy extends far beyond mere aesthetic achievement; he embodies the spirit of innovation and adaptation that characterized early American art, skillfully blending European Rococo traditions with the burgeoning sensibilities of the New World. ### Early Life and Artistic Training Born in Chur, Graubünden, Switzerland, Jeremiah Theüs…