Created by
Andrews, Benny, American, 1930 - 2006
Date
1962
Medium
oil , paper (fiber product) , cloth on canvas
Dimensions
H x W (unframed): 51 9/16 × 80 3/8 in. (131 × 204.2 cm)
H x W x D (frame): 52 3/8 × 81 1/2 × 2 7/16 in. (133 × 207 × 6.2 cm)
Caption
Benny Andrews was a figurative painter in the expressionist style whose work represents a diverse range themes of suffering and injustice, including The Holocaust, Native American forced migrations, and most recently, Hurricane Katrina. Other influences on his work include Surrealism and southern folk art...The objects donated reflect a period (1960s) in Andrews’ life when he was heavily involved in fighting systematic oppression in the south. Andrews probably witnessed the horrors of Jim Crow such as lynching, as depicted in Envy (1964) and Death (1962).
List of bibliographic references: www.wikipedia.com, TMS Constituent File
Written by/date: Kassie Edwards - 9/15/2016, reviewed by Jacquelyn D. Serwer 10/19/2016
Description
This collage depicts a Christ-like figure lying across a short horizontal surface covered with textured draperies of blue and yellow-green. The Christ-like figure is a bearded man with a halo, and red marks around the forehead. The figure has a red wound in its left side, and red wounds in the hands and feet. The right arm is outstretched above the figure's head, and he wears a loincloth. The painting has a black background.
Place collected
United States, North and Central America
Classification
Visual Arts
Type
collages
Topic
Art
Christianity
Religion
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Benny Andrews Estate and Foundation by courtesy of UNCF
Object number
2016.148.5
Restrictions & Rights
© Benny Andrews Estate / Licensed by VAGA at Artists Rights Society (ARS), NY. Permission required for use
Permission required for use. Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd53fb979fa-c6dc-42a4-a674-e3f0cf7cf3c3

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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