Christmas Concert

This beautiful pastel depicts a Christmas concert in Appleton, Wisconsin, in 1938. The artist captured this scene from the balcony of Pythian Hall as the Appleton Symphony Orchestra brought some holiday cheer to its audience. John Holden, the president of the former Heritage Insurance Company, bought this work soon after its creation and later used it on the Company’s Christmas card. Like other Regionalist artists, Dietrich drew his subject matter and inspiration from the people and events around him.