Helen La France (Kentucky, 1919-2020) oil on canvas landscape painting depicting an African American congregation gathering for a baptism, with automobiles and horse-drawn buggy parked in grassy areas around a church depicted next to a lone tree and congregants gathered around a river left midground to observe the baptisms. Signed "Helen La France" lower right and "River Baptism Shelton" on the back stretcher. Additionally titled en pen en verso on the canvas perimeter. Unframed. 22" H x 28" 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 museums 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.

Overall excellent condition.