Miner's Daily Welcome
Object number2002.86.1
Artist
John Michael O'Cilka
Datec.1970
MediumPaint; Canvas; Fiberboard; Unknown adhesive;
Credit LineGift of John A. O'Cilka
DescriptionOil on canvas painting attached to a piece of 1/8 masonite board. The scene shows a rather desolate landscape, backed by a red-orange sky. Three plain board miners homes are pictured; at the foreground home, a white-clothed wife welcomes her miner husband home. One child holds his hand, another carries his lunch-pail, as a dog jumps nearby. The miner wears a carbide cap lamp on what appears to be a cloth miner's hat.Dimensions24 x 35.9999 in. (61 x 91.4 cm)Signedsigned "OCILKA" at lower right.
Historical NotesThe painter was a self-taught, he painted many mining scenes, as well as religious and political subjects; he was educated at the Pennsylvania State School of Mining, where he later taught; Mr. Ocilka worked for the Pennsylvania Coal & Coke Co., for Berwind-White Corp., and was certified as a mine inspector; this painting apparently represents a remembered scene from the 1930's;
Related institution
Berwind Corporation
Related institution
Pennsylvania Coal and Coke Company
Related person
John Michael O'Cilka
On View
On view
c. 1930
c. 1925