Lot 176: William Aiken Walker O/B Panoramic Cabin Scene Painting

William Aiken Walker (American/South Carolina, 1838-1921) oil on academy board cabin scene painting with an African American family gathered before a cabin or small house and accompanied by a small cat. Chickens walk through the foreground while laundry dries on a line at right. Spanish moss hangs from the branches of a tree that reaches over a cornfield visible in the background at left. Signed lower left. Inscribed “Cabin” along with other text en verso. Housed in an ornate giltwood frame. Board: 6 1/2 in. H x 12 1/4 in. W. Sight: 5 3/4 in. H x 11 5/8 in. W. Framed: 14 in. H x 20 in. W. Biographical Note: 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, mostly depicting rural plantations and the daily life of African Americans. 

PROVENANCE: Private Florida Collection

CONDITION: Overall very good condition. Approximately 1/8 in. x 1/8 in. loss to sky with related 3/8 in. L surface abrasion at upper left. With surface grime and areas of retouching or inpainting to old frame abrasions along edges, outside of the sight area, along with minor areas of loss to edges also outside of the sight area, largest 1/4 in. x 1/4 in. to lower left corner.