Harriet

Elizabeth Catlett was known for her depictions of celebrated historical black heroines—such as Harriet Tubman. According to sources, Tubman was short in stature, “barely five feet tall.” However, Catlett’s use of strong directional lines in her reimagination of Harriet simulate movement and contrast. Those elements also infuse Harriet with an air of monumentality. As Harriet notably points—outward (out of bondage), viewers have a natural inclination to follow the thrust her outstretched arm beyond the confines of the framed image just as her followers were led into the open expanse of freedom.