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Your search found 40 result(s).
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  • The Carrousel

    Created by
    Hayden, Palmer C., American, 1890 - 1973
    Date
    1953
    On View
    Culture/Fourth Floor, 4 052
    Exhibition
    Visual Art and the American Experience
    Medium
    Oil on canvas
    Dimensions
    H x W: 24 × 18 1/8 in. (61 × 46 cm)
    Description
    This oil painting depicts a carousel set in a busy urban cityscape. Set in the center of the scene, the carousel has a green and white striped canopy overhead. It has triangular-shaped multicolored flags set at intervals around the edge of the canopy. On the carousel platform itself are various animal figures mounted on poles with people riding on them. The animal figures include cows with upraised horns, leaping zebras, horses and a lion. Surrounding the carousel is a crowd of people. Behind the carousel is a large indistinct crowd and several high-rise buildings. At the bottom right corner of the painting, in black, is [Palmer Hayden 1953].
    Classification
    Visual Arts
    Type
    oil paintings
    Topic
    Amusements
    Art
    Communities
    Recreation
    Urban life
    Credit Line
    Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Michael Rosenfeld and halley k harrisburg
    Object number
    2016.155
    Restrictions & Rights
    © Palmer C. Hayden. Permission required for use.
    Usage
    Usage conditions apply
    GUID
    http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd59cdc4b29-b0e8-47c5-a868-39c87b42057d
  • Rutabaga: In the Sky

    Created by
    Binion, McArthur, American, born 1946
    Date
    1978-1979
    On View
    Culture/Fourth Floor, 4 052
    Exhibition
    Visual Art and the American Experience
    Medium
    oil stick, Dixon wax crayon on aluminum
    Dimensions
    H x W x D: 59 × 46 × 2 1/16 in. (149.9 × 116.8 × 5.2 cm)
    Description
    This oil stick and wax crayon painting on aluminum depicts an abstracted oval shape. Done in tones of red and white, the oval leans in a slant to the right, sitting on a rectangular field. The background is also two toned, yellow and red, opposite sides of the two tones used within the oval. The wax colors are pressed onto the canvas, rather than drawn, creating a high relief texture to the surface.
    Classification
    Visual Arts
    Type
    paintings
    mixed media
    Topic
    Art
    Credit Line
    Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of McArthur Binion
    Object number
    2014.160
    Restrictions & Rights
    © McArthur Binion
    Usage
    Usage conditions apply
    GUID
    http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5c5794a6c-45bd-4f9d-b941-ab7eb6804dc6
  • Untitled (Abstraction)

    Created by
    Delaney, Beauford, American, 1901 - 1979
    Date
    1964
    On View
    Culture/Fourth Floor, 4 052
    Exhibition
    Visual Art and the American Experience
    Medium
    oil on linen
    Dimensions
    H x W: 16 1/8 × 13 × 3/4 in. (41 × 33 × 1.9 cm)
    H x W x D (with frame): 22 1/2 × 19 1/8 × 1 1/2 in. (57.2 × 48.6 × 3.8 cm)
    Description
    This is an abstract oil painting done in colors of primarily yellow and orange-pink against an off-white background. The paint is laid on the canvas in thick textured clumps. The reverse is signed and dated by the artist and inscribed "Paris" in oil.
    Place made
    Paris, France, Europe
    Classification
    Visual Arts
    Type
    oil paintings
    Topic
    Art
    Credit Line
    Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
    Object number
    2014.233.1
    Restrictions & Rights
    © Estate of Beauford Delaney. Permission required for use.
    Usage
    Usage conditions apply
    GUID
    http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5120faede-4b36-42b5-988a-90d8258360c9
  • CC0 Creative Commons - No Rights Reserved icon

    The Garden of Eden

    Created by
    Duncanson, Robert S., American, 1821 - 1872
    Date
    1852
    On View
    Culture/Fourth Floor, 4 052
    Exhibition
    Visual Art and the American Experience
    Medium
    oil on canvas
    Dimensions
    H x W x D (Frame): 40 11/16 × 56 3/8 × 4 1/8 in. (103.3 × 143.2 × 10.5 cm)
    H x W x D (Canvas): 32 1/2 × 48 1/2 in. (82.6 × 123.2 cm)
    Description
    This oil painting depicts a landscape scene. Numerous trees, including palm trees, frame the image on the left and right. The center of the image is an open clearing with a small stream running through a meadow covered with greenery and flowers. Further back into the painting the clearing opens up into a wide meadow. There are two small nude human figures on the right side of the meadow. Beyond the meadow is a lake fed by a waterfall. In the background is a single conical mountain.
    Classification
    Visual Arts
    Type
    paintings
    Topic
    Art
    Religion
    Credit Line
    Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Louis Moore Bacon
    Object number
    2014.299
    Restrictions & Rights
    Public Domain
    Usage
    CC0
    GUID
    http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5cb77ddd6-0c90-4acf-8d0d-bf2a6ddc6190
  • Self-Portrait

    Created by
    Porter, James Amos, American, 1905 - 1970
    Date
    ca. 1935
    On View
    Culture/Fourth Floor, 4 052
    Exhibition
    Visual Art and the American Experience
    Medium
    oil paint on linen (material)
    Dimensions
    H x W x D (unframed ): 14 × 12 × 3/4 in. (35.6 × 30.5 × 1.9 cm)
    H x W x D (framed ): 17 3/4 × 15 13/16 × 1 1/8 in. (45.1 × 40.1 × 2.9 cm)
    Description
    This oil painting depicts the figure of a seated man holding an artist's palette. He is visible from the waist up, sitting in profile to the viewer. The figure, wearing a white collared shirt, turns slightly to the left, toward the viewer. He holds an artist's palette in his left hand and two brushes in his right. A wooden chair can be partially seen in the foreground right corner. The edge of an easel and canvas can be seen at the left edge of the picture. A picture frame can be seen on the wall to the right.
    On the verso are three rectangular stickers adhering to the frame. One sticker is attached at the top. It has an image of James A. Porter and a block of text that reads "The Art of James A. Porter/ Dorothy Porter Wesley Research Center, Inc./ 2400 East Las Olas Blvd. ste 123/ Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301/ (954) 463-7880/ (954) 463-7881 Fax/ dpw_archives@hotmail.com/ #63 Self Portrait."
    The bottom left sticker (clear plastic) "Self-Portrait/ Oil/ ca. 1935/ collection of Dorothy Porter Wesley."
    The bottom right sticker "James A. Porter/ (1905-1970)/ Dorothy Porter Wesley Research Center Archives/ pmb - 123 2400 E. Las Olas Blvd./ Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301-1529 USA/ Phone (954) 463-7880 Fax(954)463-7881/ www.artnoir.com/index.porter.html/ email:artnoir@artnoir.com."
    Place made
    Paris, Ile-de-France, France, Europe
    Classification
    Visual Arts
    Type
    self-portraits
    oil paintings
    portraits
    Topic
    Art
    Education
    Identity
    Men
    Credit Line
    Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
    Object number
    2014.42.3
    Restrictions & Rights
    © James Amos Porter. Permission required for use.
    Usage
    Usage conditions apply
    GUID
    http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5e68d492a-deb1-47da-8900-90a088b81bb9
  • Haitian Street Scene

    Created by
    Douglas, Aaron, American, 1899 - 1979
    Date
    1938
    On View
    Culture/Fourth Floor, 4 052
    Exhibition
    Visual Art and the American Experience
    Medium
    oil on canvas
    Dimensions
    H x W x D (Framed): 25 3/4 × 27 5/8 × 1 3/4 in. (65.4 × 70.2 × 4.4 cm)
    H x W (Unframed): 18 1/8 × 20 1/4 in. (46 × 51.4 cm)
    Description
    An oil on canvas painting by Aaron Douglas depicting a street scene in Haiti. In the foreground, three (3) women are depicted, all traveling from right to left. The two women at proper right are walking, and the third woman at center is traveling on a donkey or burro. The woman on the donkey is wearing a light blue dress and cream colored hat, and is sitting on top of a cloth or a sack. Both of the women traveling on foot are wearing dresses, with brightly colored headscarves topped with baskets balanced on their heads. At proper left, a man is emerging from an alley, wearing a light blue suit with cream colored hat. Behind the figures are colorful buildings bathed in dappled sunlight, a glimpse of colorful blue sky and puffy clouds visible in the background. At proper left there is a large building painted yellow with colorful trim around the windows, at center a garage with teal blue doors, and at proper right a stone wall with a large pine tree with gracefully drooping branches behind. The painting is signed at the lower-right corner [A. Douglas].
    Place made
    Haiti, Caribbean, Latin America, North and Central America
    Classification
    Visual Arts
    Movement
    Harlem Renaissance (New Negro Movement)
    Type
    paintings
    Topic
    African diaspora
    Art
    Credit Line
    Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Melvin Holmes Collection of African American Art
    Object number
    2015.267
    Restrictions & Rights
    © Aaron Douglas Foundation//Licensed by VAGA at Artists Rights Society (ARS). Permission required for use.
    Usage
    Usage conditions apply
    GUID
    http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5a14099b6-cc63-4b2e-b02b-abc48a917eb1
  • Girl in Red Dress

    Created by
    Waring, Laura Wheeler, American, 1887 - 1948
    Subject of
    Unidentified Woman or Women
    Date
    ca. 1935
    On View
    Culture/Fourth Floor, 4 052
    Exhibition
    Visual Art and the American Experience
    Medium
    oil on museum board
    Dimensions
    H x W (unframed): 18 × 14 in. (45.7 × 35.6 cm)
    H x W x D (frame): 23 5/8 × 19 11/16 × 1 3/4 in. (60 × 50 × 4.5 cm)
    Description
    This oil painting depicts a young woman in a red off-the-shoulder dress. Wearing long red fingerless gloves, a large black ring, an earring and makeup, she sits with one knee drawn up to her chest. Her clasped hands rest on her raised knee. Although she faces the viewer, her gaze is lowered, her head slightly bent forward. Her dark, wavy hair, parted on the left, hangs to her shoulders. The painting is signed by the artist and has a gallery label affixed to the back.
    Classification
    Visual Arts
    Movement
    Harlem Renaissance (New Negro Movement)
    Type
    oil paintings
    portraits
    Topic
    Art
    Women
    Credit Line
    Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
    Object number
    2013.18
    Restrictions & Rights
    © Laura Wheeler Waring. Permission required for use.
    Usage
    Usage conditions apply
    GUID
    http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5d0aeab3e-c7c7-40cc-a245-15b08efc8fc9
  • Mothership (Capsule)

    Created by
    Pinder, Jefferson, American, born 1970
    Subject of
    President Barack Obama, American, born 1961
    Ra, Sun, American, 1914 - 1993
    Wonder, Stevie, American, born 1950
    Date
    2009
    On View
    Culture/Fourth Floor, 4 052
    Exhibition
    Visual Art and the American Experience
    Medium
    tin, wood, chrome, loudspeakers, audiovisual equipment and mixed media
    Dimensions
    H x W x D: 92 1/2 × 75 × 86 in., 571 lb. (235 × 190.5 × 218.4 cm, 259 kg)
    Description
    An abstracted replica of the NASA Mercury space capsule. The sculpture is made from pieces of tin that were salvaged from structures in and around Baltimore, Maryland, and re-purposed lumber gathered from President Obama’s 2009 inaugural platform. The sculpture is displayed angled onto its side. Inserted into the top of the sculpture is an Altec (R) model 416-8A sub-woofer speaker, and the base of the sculpture is a 24" chrome alloy (wheel) rim. In the interior of the sculpture is a Philips DVD player (HTS3371D), with a Philips audio cable connecting the player to the speaker, and a remote to control the player externally. A DVD plays from inside the sculpture on a loop, bass tones only: “Space is the Place” by Sun Ra and “Living in the City” by Stevie Wonder.
    Place made
    Washington, District of Columbia, United States, North and Central America
    Classification
    Visual Arts
    Type
    multimedia works
    Topic
    African diaspora
    Art
    Funk (Music)
    Identity
    Local and regional
    Politics
    Technology
    Transportation
    Credit Line
    Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Henry Thaggert III in memory of Burnell P. Thaggert
    Object number
    2013.234
    Restrictions & Rights
    © Jefferson Pinder. Permission required for use.
    Usage
    Usage conditions apply
    GUID
    http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd574c1cea8-a520-4428-99e1-efcaebee5152
  • Ethiopia

    Created by
    Fuller, Meta Vaux Warrick, American, 1877 - 1968
    Subject of
    Unidentified Woman or Women
    Date
    ca. 1921
    On View
    Culture/Fourth Floor, 4 052
    Exhibition
    Visual Art and the American Experience
    Medium
    paint on plaster
    Dimensions
    13 × 3 1/2 × 3 7/8 in. (33 × 8.9 × 9.8 cm)
    Description
    Painted plaster sculpture of a female figure standing with her right hand over her heart, her left arm straight against her side with her hand extended out. Her head is turned over her left shoulder. From the hips down her legs are bound as if mummified. She wears a veil that is draped over her head and falls over her shoulders and down her back. The veil is shaped to resemble a pharaonic headdress. The figure stands on a rectangular, slightly wedge shaped pedestal. The sculpture is painted to look like copper complete with a simulated greenish patina.
    Cultural Place
    Ethiopia, Africa
    Classification
    Visual Arts
    Movement
    Harlem Renaissance (New Negro Movement)
    Type
    sculpture
    Topic
    African diaspora
    Art
    Women
    Credit Line
    Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Fuller Family
    Object number
    2013.242.1
    Restrictions & Rights
    © Meta Vaux Warrick Fuller
    Usage
    Usage conditions apply
    GUID
    http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5cf9b5950-e9b5-493e-92e3-6c08c12c2d4e
  • Untitled (Green Landscape)

    Created by
    Woodruff, Hale, American, 1900 - 1980
    Date
    ca. 1969
    On View
    Culture/Fourth Floor, 4 052
    Exhibition
    Visual Art and the American Experience
    Medium
    oil on canvas
    Dimensions
    H x W (painting): 30 × 35 in. (76.2 × 88.9 cm)
    H x W (frame): 33 1/4 × 38 × 1 3/8 in. (84.5 × 96.5 × 3.5 cm)
    Description
    This large rectangular oil painting on canvas depicts an abstract field of green, orange, yellow, and white colors in patches. Handwritten in the bottom right corner is the artist's signature that reads "Hale Woodruff." The reverse side of the canvas has illegible angular symbols, done in black oil. Handwritten above symbols is the signature "H. WOODRUFF."
    Classification
    Visual Arts
    Type
    oil paintings
    landscapes (representations)
    Topic
    Art
    Credit Line
    Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
    Object number
    2014.130.3
    Restrictions & Rights
    © Hale Woodruff Estate/ Licensed by VAGA at Artists Rights Society (ARS), NY. Permission required for use.
    Usage
    Usage conditions apply
    GUID
    http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd55fd008c7-139c-40ff-91a5-3d5eba0dcc2a
  • Blue Feather

    Created by
    Coates, Gregory, American, born 1961
    Date
    2013
    On View
    Culture/Fourth Floor, 4 052
    Exhibition
    Visual Art and the American Experience
    Medium
    acrylic and goose feathers on canvas
    Dimensions
    H x W: 39 × 75 1/2 × 1 3/8 in. (99 × 191.7 × 3.5 cm)
    Description
    A painting created of blue acrylic paint and cleaned goose feathers applied onto canvas. The large, rectangular canvas is completely covered in cobalt blue paint applied evenly over both the feathers and the canvas, creating an artwork that is monochromatic yet multidimensional in texture. Some of the feathers extend beyond the borders of the canvas. The artwork is unframed.
    Classification
    Visual Arts
    Type
    multimedia works
    Topic
    Art
    Credit Line
    Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Eric Collins in honor of Henry and Adeline Collins
    Object number
    2013.202
    Restrictions & Rights
    © Gregory Coates. Permission required for use.
    Usage
    Usage conditions apply
    GUID
    http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd528bdacb9-9a62-42c1-b5a0-319fbc708ced
  • The Big Egg

    Created by
    Clark, Ed, American, 1926 - 2019
    Date
    1968
    On View
    Culture/Fourth Floor, 4 052
    Exhibition
    Visual Art and the American Experience
    Medium
    mixed media on canvas
    Dimensions
    H x W: 64 1/4 × 81 1/2 in. (163.2 × 207 cm)
    Description
    Oval-shaped abstract mixed media painting with large horizontal brush strokes and three fields of color. The canvas, shaped like a horizontal ellipse, is covered by three main fields of color: orange-red, at top, blue-green in the middle, and pink at bottom. There is a single streak of white partway across the orange field. Encroaching onto the orange field is a spray and spatter of blue-green paint. There is a darker orange shadow behind the spray. The blue-green field brightens gradually to a more blue-based color as it nears the bottom. At the very bottom of the painting is a narrow streak of pink.
    Place made
    Vétheuil, Val-d'Oise, France, Europe
    Portfolio/Series
    Vétheuil Series
    Classification
    Visual Arts
    Type
    acrylic paintings
    Topic
    Art
    Men
    Credit Line
    Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
    Object number
    2013.125abc
    Restrictions & Rights
    © Ed Clark
    Usage
    Usage conditions apply
    GUID
    http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5ba1e3981-cb3e-4afb-865d-b093ee550a45
  • Grand Dame Queenie

    Created by
    Sherald, Amy, American, born 1973
    Date
    2012
    On View
    Culture/Fourth Floor, 4 052
    Exhibition
    Visual Art and the American Experience
    Medium
    oil on canvas
    Dimensions
    H x W (unframed): 54 1/8 × 43 × 2 1/2 in. (137.5 × 109.2 × 6.4 cm)
    Description
    Oil painting that depicts a three-quarter length portrait of a woman with closely cropped hair holding a teacup and saucer decorated with a profile silhouette of a woman’s face. The cup and saucer is white with gold edging. There is a gold wreath around the silhouette. The woman is wearing a high necked red blouse that is tied at the neck with a bright yellow scarf. The long sleeves have ruffles at the cuffs. The shirt is tucked into black and white striped pants with a yellow button. The background fades from a bright blue at the top to bright purple at the bottom. Bright fuchsia splashes are scattered throughout the background. The woman gazes directly at the viewer.
    Place made
    Baltimore, Maryland, United States, North and Central America
    Classification
    Visual Arts
    Type
    oil paintings
    portraits
    Topic
    Art
    Gender
    Identity
    LGBTQ
    Sexuality
    Women
    Credit Line
    Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
    Object number
    2013.20
    Restrictions & Rights
    © Amy Sherald
    Usage
    Usage conditions apply
    GUID
    http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd559d102b2-7b2b-4191-b686-b3773c7dcd24
  • Ghana Women Dancing

    Created by
    Biggers, John, American, 1924 - 2001
    Date
    1968
    On View
    Culture/Fourth Floor, 4 052
    Exhibition
    Visual Art and the American Experience
    Medium
    oil and acrylic paint and chalk on canvas
    Dimensions
    H x W x D (frame): 43 1/8 × 37 1/16 × 1 9/16 in. (109.5 × 94.2 × 4 cm)
    H x W (unframed): 35 15/16 × 29 15/16 in. (91.3 × 76 cm)
    Description
    This is an oil painting of two dancing women. The women wear duku head ties, blouses, and floor-length skirts. The figure on the left has a skirt that wraps around her, with abstract color patterns in yellow and red tones. She wears a blue sleeveless blouse with a white pattern and an off-white head tie with yellow and red highlights. The woman stands with her body facing the viewer, head bent towards her left and bending forward from the waist. The woman next to her stands with her back to the viewer, wearing an off-white wrap skirt and blue short sleeve blouse with light blue pattern. She bends forward slightly from the waist, her left foot visible beneath her skirt. Behind them is a large green moon against a dark blue sky with white stars and constellations in the background.
    Place made
    Houston, Harris County, Texas, United States, North and Central America
    Cultural Place
    Ghana, West Africa, Africa
    Classification
    Visual Arts
    Type
    oil paintings
    Topic
    Africa
    African diaspora
    Art
    Dance
    Women
    Credit Line
    Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Gerald and Anita Smith
    Object number
    2012.162.1
    Restrictions & Rights
    © Estate of John Biggers. Permission required for use.
    Usage
    Usage conditions apply
    GUID
    http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5402828d5-3bfa-4436-be1b-396157c00fa9
  • Arty (Centerpiece)

    Created by
    Stevens, Nelson, American, born 1938
    Subject of
    Turner Crawford, Arlene, American
    AfriCOBRA, founded 1968
    Date
    1970
    On View
    Culture/Fourth Floor, 4 052
    Exhibition
    Visual Art and the American Experience
    Medium
    acrylic paint on canvas
    Dimensions
    H x W x D: 50 × 50 × 2 in. (127 × 127 × 5.1 cm)
    Description
    This is an abstract acrylic painting depicting a woman from the neck up. Done in a color palette of red, orange, blue, and purple, the woman's form is made up of clusters of rounded and abstract pools of color. Viewed slightly from below, she faces forward and gazes upward.
    Classification
    Visual Arts
    Movement
    BAM (Black Arts Movement 1965-1976)
    Type
    acrylic paintings
    portraits
    Topic
    Activism
    Art
    Identity
    Professional organizations
    Religion
    Women
    Credit Line
    Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
    Object number
    2016.73
    Restrictions & Rights
    © Nelson Stevens. Permission required for use.
    Usage
    Usage conditions apply
    GUID
    http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd591fce4d5-cf44-40ac-90f9-618341612a89
  • SWANstudy #2 (for Aretemisia)

    Created by
    Rozeal, American, born 1966
    Date
    2012
    On View
    Culture/Fourth Floor, 4 052
    Exhibition
    Visual Art and the American Experience
    Medium
    acrylic paint, ink and graphite on wood panel
    Dimensions
    H x W x D: 72 × 60 × 2 in. (182.9 × 152.4 × 5.1 cm)
    H x W x D (Crate): 80 × 68 1/2 × 9 3/4 in. (203.2 × 174 × 24.8 cm)
    Caption
    Rozeal’s work has been referred to as a visual mash-up that juxtaposes elements of Japanese art and culture with African American hip hop pictures and fashion. Brown creates her figures by combining traditional Japanese characters and ukiyo-e printmaking with contemporary hip hop style and imagery. She has termed her ongoing project A3…Afro-Asiatic Allegory after discovering the Ganguro subculture born in the mid-1990’s among female Japanese teenagers.
    Rozeal has incorporated many cultural references into this painting. The figure’s hairdo mimics the braids and dreads so popular amongst black teenagers and hip hop enthusiasts of varying backgrounds. The scarab, traditionally an Egyptian amulet in the shape of a beetle, hanging from the pearl necklace, has long been a popular jewelry item and good luck charm, sometimes interpreted as a symbol “of rebirth or regeneration.”
    The dedication to Aretemisia may refer to Italian Baroque artist, Artemisia Gentileschi (1593-c. 1656). Although Artemisia was a great sartist, she was also known for the court trial in which her accused rapist was successfully prosecuted. Brown’s young woman seems fearless as well—confident in her wardrobe and self-presentation.
    The title, SWANstudy, may reference the Greek myth of Leda and the swan.
    Rozeal’s lavishly adorned woman draws together many elements that make this image so rich—the excess and folly of the young, the homage to intersecting traditions, and the universal irresistibility of pop culture. It serves as a handy demonstration of the myriad connections to African American culture found around the world.
    A recurring character in Rozeal's work is Yoshi, a wise female war hero—sporting an afro and classical Japanese garb—whose enlightened state allows her to exist as a communicant between divinities and mortals, guiding those still on earth.
    The artist's paintings have been widely exhibited, and she received a solo show at Cleveland's Museum of Contemporary Art in 2010. In 2011 she was commissioned to create a performance for the Performa biennial.
    Description
    This stylized figurative painting, reminiscent of a Japanese ukiyo-e woodblock print, features a female figure with vivid blue hair holding a string of pearls in her teeth. The woman's head tilts to her left. Her long, braided hair is gathered into a twist at her neck, and heavy bangs frame her face. A single braid runs down the left side of her face, through a large hoop earring in her right ear, and down to her leg. The necklace hanging from her mouth features a large blue scarab affixed at the bottom of the loop. Her right shoulder is covered with a red cloth, and her left shoulder is draped by an abstracted white fur garment that wraps around to her right, behind the red cloth. Part of the woman's face and torso are a dark brown, with a thick set edge implying a mask or garment. Her pale skin is painted or tattooed in a blue pattern around her shoulder, arm and breast. At the lower edge of the painting, the hilt of a Japanese katana-type sword is visible, topped with a tsuba, or a guard that is placed at the end of the sword grip. The edges and many details of the painting are outlined in black ink to heighten the evocation of an etched print. The entire top edge, and left and right borders, of the front panel of the panel are trimmed in red. Across the panel, there are carefully spaced and controlled drips of paint running both vertically, such as across the woman's face and torso, and horizontally, near the sword grip. The sides of the panel are painted the same teal blue as in the woman's hair.
    Classification
    Visual Arts
    Type
    acrylic paintings
    Topic
    Art
    Hair
    Women
    Credit Line
    Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Dr. Carl and Shirley Schwartz
    Object number
    2016.79
    Restrictions & Rights
    © Iona Rozeal Brown. Permission required for use.
    Usage
    Usage conditions apply
    GUID
    http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd549911bdd-a7f1-4fd8-9ab1-b0f22fb4ea40
  • Spring--Delightful Flower Bed

    Created by
    Alma Thomas, American, 1891 - 1978
    Date
    1967
    On View
    Culture/Fourth Floor, 4 052
    Exhibition
    Visual Art and the American Experience
    Medium
    oil on canvas
    Dimensions
    H x W x D: 37 1/4 × 37 1/4 × 2 3/8 in. (94.6 × 94.6 × 6 cm)
    Description
    This is an abstract and colorful mosaic-style painting with concentric circles filling a square space with a light green background. Each circle is composed of rectangular shapes of similar color and size, but each circle varies in color and width.
    Place made
    Washington, District of Columbia, United States, North and Central America
    Classification
    Visual Arts
    Type
    oil paintings
    Topic
    Art
    Local and regional
    Nature
    Resistance
    Credit Line
    Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of William J. and Brenda L. Galloway and Family
    Object number
    2015.151
    Restrictions & Rights
    © Charles Thomas Lewis
    Usage
    Usage conditions apply
    GUID
    http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5b06433a4-e9f4-4f06-8e52-66e19141aa06
  • The Argument

    Created by
    Motley, Archibald John Jr., American, 1891 - 1981
    Owned by
    Barnett-Aden Gallery, American, 1943 - 1969
    Date
    1940
    On View
    Culture/Fourth Floor, 4 052
    Exhibition
    Visual Art and the American Experience
    Medium
    oil on canvas
    Dimensions
    H x W: 40 × 30 in. (101.6 × 76.2 cm)
    Description
    This oil painting depicts a street scene with a group of men arguing. In the painting's foreground are five men standing in a rough circle. Two men have their backs to the viewer, one tall thin figure wearing a grey suit and fedora. He carries a cigarette in his left hand, held behind his back. The second man is short, fat, and wears a light colored shirt and dark blue pants. He is balding and has his hands on his hips. He faces three taller men. The tallest wears a brown bowler hat over one eye and red tie with a dark blue suit. He stands with his legs spread and has a cigarette in his open mouth. Next to him is a man in a light colored suit with a flat blue cap. He holds a smoking cigarette in front of his face with his right hand. The third man wears a dark blue suit and flat cap. He leans against the wall behind him and gestures with his right hand. Slightly in front of him is an overflowing can of garbage. Slightly behind the group of men to the left is another man with his head tilted upwards, drinking from a flask. Above the men is an open window in the brick building behind them. A woman in a green sleeveless dress sits at the window, right hand on the sill, left hand touching her hair. Her head is turned downwards towards the men. Beyond the brick building is a small green yard with a laundry line. A woman in a red dress and white apron is hanging white sheets on the line. She looks over her shoulder at the group of men. Beyond the laundry line is a small house with a porch. A man in a white shirt and dark pants stands on the porch, leaning forward on the railings. It is signed and dated by the artist.
    Place depicted
    Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, United States, North and Central America
    Classification
    Visual Arts
    Type
    paintings
    Topic
    Art
    Communities
    Men
    Stereotypes
    Urban life
    Women
    Credit Line
    Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Robert L. Johnson
    Object number
    2015.2.5
    Restrictions & Rights
    © Valerie Gerrard Browne. Permission required for use.
    Usage
    Usage conditions apply
    GUID
    http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd52f1359a5-18f5-4ed3-9413-76e537e1c943
  • But I'm Still Fly

    Created by
    Dr. Pecou, Fahamu, American, born 1975
    Date
    2014
    On View
    Culture/Fourth Floor, 4 052
    Exhibition
    Visual Art and the American Experience
    Medium
    acrylic paint , copper and zinc on canvas
    Dimensions
    H x W x D: 120 × 60 × 2 in. (304.8 × 152.4 × 5.1 cm)
    Description
    An acrylic painting on canvas with copper and zinc leaf. The painting depicts the lower torso and legs of a young man jumping upward. His torso and arms, mostly out of frame, are bare. He is wearing several overlapping pairs of underwear, jeans that sag to mid-thigh, and green high top shoes. The man's right hand is holding up his jeans, and his left arm is lowered by his side in a fist. Gold leaf sheets applied to the canvas surround the figure, and two (2) sheets of gold leaf are burnished on the man's figure at his hip. The gold leaf extends to cover the edges of the canvas.
    Classification
    Visual Arts
    Type
    acrylic paintings
    Topic
    Art
    Fashion
    Identity
    Men
    Resistance
    Youth
    Credit Line
    Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
    Object number
    2015.69
    Restrictions & Rights
    © Fahamu Pecou. Permission required for use.
    Usage
    Usage conditions apply
    GUID
    http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5f1a0c518-6369-41d7-8a8e-947e670f48c3
  • Buddha (Fire & Water)

    Created by
    Scott, Joyce J., American, born 1948
    Manufactured by
    Berengo Glass Studio, Italian, founded 1989
    Date
    2013
    On View
    Culture/Fourth Floor, 4 052
    Exhibition
    Visual Art and the American Experience
    Medium
    Venetian glass and glass beads with wire and thread
    Dimensions
    H x W x D: 19 3/4 × 15 × 11 1/2 in. (50.2 × 38.1 × 29.2 cm)
    Description
    A Venetian blown glass artwork in the form of a seated Buddha. The Buddha's hands are in the "earth witness" hand position, his right hand on right knee with fingers pointing to the ground, and his left hand raised with the palm flat. The Buddha is a translucent blue. A female figure is seated on the Buddha’s left palm, her barefoot legs extending down either side of the Buddha’s hand, her right arm pointing down towards the earth and her left hand raised with the palm flat. The female figure is blown glass in a deep brown color. The figure is wrapped with peyote-stitched beads in vivid colors of red, orange and yellow, placed around the woman’s figure in a way to suggest flickering flames. In the center of the Buddha’s torso, on the interior of the glass, is a beaded hand with fingers uncurling from the center to point slightly upward. Inside of the Buddha’s head, red and blue glass beads are fused to the interior surface of the Buddha’s face and arranged into an abstracted facial expression. The entire artwork is one, connected piece.
    Place made
    Murano, Venice, Venezia, Italy, Europe
    Classification
    Visual Arts
    Type
    sculpture
    Topic
    Art
    Craftsmanship
    Religion
    Credit Line
    Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
    Object number
    2015.236
    Restrictions & Rights
    © Joyce J. Scott. Permission required for use.
    Usage
    Usage conditions apply
    GUID
    http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd55084dabe-390b-4f18-802d-78a58a240176

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National Museum of African American History and Culture
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