Charles Kermit “Buck” Ewing (Tennessee, 1910-1976) oil on canvas Spanish or Holy Land mountain landscape painting titled "Southern Stairs" that depicts a desert landscape with a mountain-top town and the winding road ascending to it -- possibly a depiction of Jerusalem's Southern Steps with the Temple of Solomon or First Temple. Signed and dated 1965 lower right. Presentation inscription en verso reads: "For Marion and Bill Leach in appreciation for the past five years of devotion, March 1965 Buck Ewing." Housed in a wormwood frame with a linen and gilt painted liner. Sight: 29 1/2 in. H x 39 1/2 in. W. Framed: 37 3/4 in. H x 47 3/4 in. W.

Artist biography: Charles Ewing was a Pennsylvania-born painter, teacher, and lithographer. He studied at Carnegie Mellon University, Harvard, and the University of Iowa under the guidance of Jean Charlot. He was a member of art associations in Pittsburgh, Atlanta, and New Rochelle, and in 1938, exhibited at the National Academy of Design. He served as an art consultant for the Tennessee Valley Authority and, from 1948 until his retirement, headed the art department at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. (Source: Peter Falk, “Who Was Who in American Art”).

Errant ink or pencil mark upper left quadrant, otherwise overall very good condition.