William Aiken Walker (American/South Carolina, 1838-1921) oil on linen painting laid to card-stock, depicting a coastal landscape with sandy beach, palm tree, cactus, and various beach shrubs, likely Florida. Signed lower left, "W. A. Walker." With McCrary & Branson gallery labels affixed to verso. Housed under glass in the original McCrary & Branson molded giltwood frame with repeating floral and leaf designs and gold mat. Sight: 5 7/8" H x 17 5/8" W. Framed: 12 1/2" H x 24 1/2" W. Note: McCrary & Branson was a Knoxville-based commercial art gallery and portrait studio operated by artist Lloyd Branson and partner Frank McCrary from the early 1880s until 1903.

Biography: The son of a prominent cotton agent, Charleston-born William Aiken Walker exhibited his first painting at the South Carolina Institute Fair at the age of 12. He went to Europe to study art in 1860 but returned to America during the Civil War, in which he served as a Confederate private and, following an injury, as a cartographer. After the war, Walker became primarily known for his prolific Southern scenes including plantations, African-Americans, and dock scenes. Some were commissioned by wealthy patrons; others were produced as souvenirs of the Old South for the tourist trade. Currier and Ives published several of these works as lithographs. In his later years, he painted scenes in Florida and North Carolina.

CONDITION: Overall very good condition. With superficial grime, lower right, and speck in sky, upper right. Plus residue to upper edge beneath frame, along with illegible inscription.