Persis Sibley was 18 when she did this theorem painting. On the back is, "By Miss Sibley at Mrs. Murray's high school for young ladies, Hallowell, Nov. 1831."

Sibley, of Freedom, had an avid interest throughout her life in education, arts, and politics. She kept detailed diaries for many years, describing her everyday experiences and thoughts, including her feelings about courtship and marriage.

Theorem painting was a technique using stencils that was popular in the early nineteenth century.