Jeremiah Theus: A Charleston Portraitist Jeremiah Theus (1716-1774) stands as a pivotal figure in the nascent artistic landscape of colonial South Carolina, recognized primarily for his masterful portraits that captured the spirit and social hierarchy of the era. Born in Chur, Switzerland—a region steeped in Huguenot heritage—Theus’s journey to America exemplifies the broader movement of European Protestants seeking refuge from religious persecution, driven by promises of land grants and governmental support. His arrival in Orangeburgh Township, Carolina, marked the beginning of a prolific c…