City Plevins

City Plevins — Dox Thrash. c. 1939.

Medium: watercolor with graphite underdrawing on wove paper. Dimensions: Sheet: 39 x 29.7 cm (15 3/8 x 11 11/16 in.).

Collection record: The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland. Museum connection according to this source; current display unverified.

For nearly half a century, Dox Thrash created evocative depictions of the everyday lives of Black Americans in Philadelphia, where he lived. This watercolor depicts apartment buildings in the north side of the city, where the artist’s own neighbors gather outside to work, play, and socialize. Thrash realistically depicted signs of wear, such as a falling shutter, but focused on the sense of community.

Source: official collection record. Metadata selected and normalized by Artline from the source export, accessed 10 September 2026; no museum endorsement. Reproduction rights are separate.