Two (2) Greg Ridley (Tennessee, 1925-2004) copper plaques of Civil War Generals Robert E. Lee, and Ulysses S. Grant, plus four (4) Ridley pen sketches on envelopes. 1st item: Oval copper portrait plaque depicting General Robert E. Lee in Confederate uniform. Signed lower right and dated "'95". Matted and framed in wood frame under glass. Sight - 17" H x 11" W. Framed - 25 3/4" H x 19 3/4" W. 2nd item: Oval copper portrait plaque depicting General Ulysses S. Grant in United States Union uniform. Signed lower right and dated "'95". Matted and framed in wood frame under glass. Sight - 17" H x 11" W. Framed - 25 3/4" H x 19 3/4" W. Also included are four (4) Greg Ridley Civil War-themed sketches or studies on envelopes. Signed lower right. 4" H x 9 1/2" W. All items American, late 20th century. Biography: Greg Ridley was born in Smyrna, TN, and moved with his family to Nashville, TN in 1936. After his service in the US Navy during WWII, he earned a degree in art education from Tennessee State University, and went on to become the first African American to receive a master's degree in fine arts from the University of Louisville. Ridley also attended Fisk University (where he later worked), and where he studied under Aaron Douglas, the Harlem renaissance painter and muralist, who remained a close friend and mentor until his death in 1979. Ridley taught at various Southern universities as well as the City University of New York. One of his last and best known works was the creation of 80 copper panels for the Grand Reading Room of the Nashville Public Library, Nashville, Tennessee. (Additional high-resolution photos are available at www.caseantiques.com.)

Overall excellent condition. The envelopes have minor handling smudges.