Helen La France (Kentucky, 1919-2020) oil on canvas rural landscape painting depicting an African American man steering a horse-drawn cart around a puddle on a muddy road. The crowded cart is filled with a woman and children, presumably his family, and their belongings. They are surrounded by an open field with a farm in the background, beneath a partly cloudy sky. Signed and dated "Helen LaFrance – 97" lower right. Titled on label en verso. Float mounted in a simple wood frame. Sight: 18 3/4" H x 26 3/8" W. Framed: 20 5/8" H x 27 7/8" W. Biography: "Self-taught African American artist Helen LaFrance was born on a Kentucky farm and began painting in her 40s. She is known for her 'memory paintings' drawn from her recollections of life growing up in the rural South. Several museum and private collectors, including Oprah Winfrey, own examples of her work." (Source: "Helen LaFrance Folk Art Memories" by Kathy Moses). Helen LaFrance died November 22, 2020 in a Mayfield, Kentucky nursing home at the age of 101.

PROVENANCE: Private Southern collection; acquired from Shelton Gallery, Tennessee.

CONDITION: Canvas has been stapled to a board and glued to a backing board, and no attempt has been made to separate it. Minute inclusions in the paint layer, lower edge, in the making.