Ethel Ashton WPA Era O/C Park Scene of African Americans, Exhibited

Ethel Ashton (American/Pennsylvania, 1896-1975), "Holiday," oil on canvas park scene depicting African American figures relaxing on and around a bench; a woman with a baby on her lap is the focal point of the scene. Signed lower right and en verso of canvas with inscription "PHILA SKETCH CLUB," and paper exhibition label listing the title of the painting and the artist's name and address. Additional small label en verso of stretcher for N. Snellenberg & Co. (Philadelphia retailer). Later bronze-tone wood frame. Sight: 17" H x 20 1/2" W. Framed: 20" H x 24" W. Biography: Ethel Ashton studied at Philadelphia's Moore College of Art and the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, and worked with the WPA during the 1940s. Her work is included in the permanent collection of the National Museum of Women in the arts, Washington, D.C. and the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts.

Private Middle Tennessee collection.
Condition Report: 1/4" hole lower left with adjacent 1" area of scratching and paint loss, a couple of other tiny flake to upper center background area, 1/2" hole to canvas upper right corner.