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Large Helen La France (Kentucky, 1919-2020) oil on canvas landscape painting depicting an African American church community gathering for a Decoration Day or Memorial Day celebration, with automobiles parked in front of a church and a horse and buggy approaching lower left; figures on the far right are decorating grave markers with wreaths, food is being set out in the background while little girls play a circle game in the foreground. Signed “Helen LaFrance” and dated 1995 lower right. Molded and stained wood frame. Sight: 47 1/2 in. W x 26 1/2 in. H. Frame: 51 1/2 in W x 30 1/2 in H. Note: also included with this painting are four contemporary reference books containing information on Helen LaFrance: AFRICAN AMERICAN ART AND ARTISTS by Samella Lewis (1990); OUTSIDER ART OF THE SOUTH by Kathy Moses (1999); SELF TAUGHT, OUTSIDER AND FOLK ART by Betty-Carol Sellen (2000); and TABAK IN DE KUNST edited by Henk Egbers (1987). (The latter, a Dutch book, explores the theme of tobacco in fine art, and features an image of Helen LaFrance’s 1985 “Tobacco Workers” from the corporate collection of the Vanne Nelle Tobacco Company.)
PROVENANCE: Private Kentucky collection, acquired directly from the artist in the 1990s.
CONDITION: Painting: overall excellent condition. A few tiny inclusions or paint specks in upper right sky area. Books: wear to covers.
