early life and career ellis l. wilson, an african-american artist associated with the harlem renaissance, was born on april 20, 1899, in mayfield, kentucky. his life trajectory is a testament to his perseverance and contribution to american art history. artistic contributions wilson's most notable work, 'funeral procession', gained significant attention in 1986 when it was featured on an episode of the cosby show. this painting, originally owned by wilson's grandmother and sold to pay for her medical bills, encapsulates the essence of his artistic style, which often reflected the african-amer…