Up for sale is an exceptionally rare original painting by the celebrated Troy, Alabama primitive/folk artist Jean T. Lake. This celebrated American female folk artist depicts incredibly detailed Southern images, generally of black life, with a sense of love, respect and delicacy. Jean was self taught becoming a painter only later in her life making her body of work small comparatively to other artists practicing their whole life. Original compositions from the artist are scarcely seen and even less offered for sale making this a rare opportunity to acquire a work by such a talented artist.

This painting is executed in gouache and ink on paper measuring 6 x 8 inches while its original frame, assembled by the artists husband, measures 18 x 20 inches. Signed in the low right corner, by the roaming chicken “Lake”. This image depicts a black family in front of their steel roof house. The mother stands to the left wearing a vibrant red dress and orange head scarf stirring a large cast iron pot atop a blazing fire. To the right a boy plays on a tire swing handing from the tree while a dog plays and chickens wander. Colorful flowers fill the porch and right of the stairs adding a burst of color as well as the yellow basket of clothes right of the boy. The level of detail is exceptional from the smallest of details creating an absolute gem from the beloved rare female painter. There is no surprise as to why Jean T. Lake is such a celebrated Alabama native for her beloved paintings of everyday life which she so wanted to preserve with nostalgia as she noticed it was a fleeting scene.

The condition of this painting is exceptional, free from any blemishes or imperfections. The painting has fortunately remained in its original frame which was built and assembled by the artists husband and is also in good condition through may show minimal cosmetic imperfections. I have replaced the matting, backed board and added museum glass making this work ready to be hung and enjoyed as it is not preserved in a museum quality housing. Provenance verso indicates this was purchased direct from Jean at the Winter Park Art Festival in Central Florida in 1975. The images provided accurately represent the quality, condition and aesthetic beauty of this fine painting by Jean Lake but if you have any questions please feel free to as prior to purchasing!