William Aiken Walker was born into aristocracy as the son of a prominent cotton agent in Charleston, SC.
He served in the Confederate Army under General Wade Hampton's South Carolina Brigade until he was wounded.
(Wade Hampton happens to be the name of Scarlett O'Hara's son in Margaret Mitchell's Gone With The Wind--there must be a link there but I digress!)
(Wade Hampton happens to be the name of Scarlett O'Hara's son in Margaret Mitchell's Gone With The Wind--there must be a link there but I digress!)
After the war Walker sold postcard studies and small works to tourists up and down and across the Southeast. A true genre painter of plantation life, his work was in great demand.
He charged between .50-$3.00 for works that today might bring $25,000.00
He charged between .50-$3.00 for works that today might bring $25,000.00
Extremely talented, Walker sang and played both the violin and piano.
Walker had a great personality and was invited to all the plantations throughout the south. He became friends the plantation workers and they loved to have him paint them at their daily work.
He travled from New Orleans to the Blue Ridge mountains, down to Charleston, and along the coast southwards to Florida.
Walker had a brisk business at each resort stop selling small paintings to tourists depicting scenes of rural cabins, cotton pickers, and palmetto-lined beaches.
A shrewd businessman, Walker sold to galleries and photo shops what he did nto sell on th streets.
During his time in time in New Orleans: "Cotton Plantation on the Mississippi" and "The Levee, New Orleans," both of which were probably commissioned by wealthy patrons.
During his time in time in New Orleans: "Cotton Plantation on the Mississippi" and "The Levee, New Orleans," both of which were probably commissioned by wealthy patrons.
Walker's dock scenes and his paintings of black sharecroppers and plantation life have always been the most popular.
Walker died in Charleston when he was 91,
WHAT IT'S WORTH: Walker's work has been considered collectible since the 1930s. The demand for art of the
African-American culture is increasing. Thus his work continues to rise in value each year.
The brass roundel originally estimated at $15-20,000 ended with a sale price of $44,062.50 after a spirited round of bidding at a recent auction.
African-American culture is increasing. Thus his work continues to rise in value each year.
The brass roundel originally estimated at $15-20,000 ended with a sale price of $44,062.50 after a spirited round of bidding at a recent auction.
