Created by
Catlett, Elizabeth, Mexican and American, 1915 - 2012
Printed by
J.K. Fine Editions Company/Mojo Portfolio, American, founded 1975
Subject of
Walker, Margaret, American, 1915 - 1998
Date
1992
Medium
ink on photographic paper
Dimensions
H x W (unframed): 15 1/2 × 13 1/2 in. (39.4 × 34.3 cm)
H x W (framed): 25 1/2 × 22 1/2 in. (64.8 × 57.2 cm)
Caption
This print is from Elizabeth Catlett's For My People portfolio, which she created for the 50th anniversary of the poem by the same name by Catlett's close friend Margaret Walker. Walker's poem "For My People," was first published in Poetry magazine in 1937.
Description
A framed color lithograph print titled “Singing Their Songs” by Elizabeth Catlett. The print is divided into four unequal quadrants. The upper left quadrant depicts a Black woman from the neck up with her mouth open in song. Against an orange background in the upper right quadrant is a kneeling Black woman wearing a brown dress with white flowers, her hands clasped in a prayer position. In the bottom left quadrant are two repeated images in black ink of a Black man's face against a blue background. In the bottom right quadrant is a Black man against a grey background wearing a checkered green and white shirt, his mouth open in song.
The artist signed the artwork in the front in lower right corner [E. Catlett 1992], wrote the edition in the lower left corner [A/P VII], and the title in the bottom center [Singing their songs..]. On the back, on the upper right edging of the frame, is a white rectangular sticker with an inscription written in black ink [SINGING THEIR SONGS 1992 / LITHOGRAPH 28x24 / $3500.00].
Portfolio/Series
For My People
Classification
Visual Arts
Type
lithographs
Topic
Art
Music
Poetry
Prayer
Religion
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Estate of Carroll Parrott Blue
Object number
2023.39.7ab
Restrictions & Rights
© Estate of Elizabeth Catlett
Permission required for use. Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd50fb44b63-20da-4eb0-8bd0-5979665b4a35

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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