Oil on canvas (lined), signed and dated 1898 at lower right, presented in a later carved and gilt wood frame with gallery plaque.

Sight size 29 1/2 x 18 1/2 in.; Frame dimensions 37 x 25 3/4 in.

From the Collection of Esther B. Ferguson, Secessionville Manor, Charleston, South Carolina (sold Leland Little Auctions, September 16, 2017, lot 464)
Berry-Hill Galleries, Inc., New York

Born in New York, Ashe studied at the Metropolitan Art School and the Art Students League. He began his artistic career as an illustrator for books and magazines, including Collier's, Harper's Magazine, and Scribner's Magazine. Ashe also served as a White House artist correspondent for several publications during the administrations of President William McKinley and President Theodore Roosevelt.

The work presented here is an example of Ashe's work from this earlier period when he was working in a more impressionist style. It illustrates the influence of William Merritt Chase, at whose New York School Ashe taught. He met Robert Henri during this time and eventually adopted a darker social realist tone in his work. He continued teaching art throughout his lifetime, retiring to Charleston, South Carolina in 1939.

On new stretchers; minor scattered re-touch visible under UV light, largest area approximately 1/2 in. diameter above flowers on hat.

$2,000 - 4,000