Truth Be Told

Louise Jefferson's, friend invited her comments on his autobiography.  In the 1930’s-1940's, Pauli a pioneering activist, was denied “gender-affirming care,” was arrested for refusing to sit at the back of a bus, and co-founded C.O.R.E. (Congress for Racial Equality).

(1912-1995), recognized for his satirical cartoons, Harrington studied at National Academy of Design.   A close friend, of Harlem Renaissance artist Romare Bearden. Harrington created “’Bootsie,’” the first cartoon series by a black artist to break onto the national stage.

Robert Pious (1908-1983), critically acclaimed cartoonist and advertising artist's, work appeared in Golden age comic books such as Archie and was used by major publishers such as Random House.  Pious' most notable works include Harriet Tubman at the Smithsonian Portrait Gallery.

Hines invited Pauli Murray to help quell racial animus at Trinity College, a “conservative, liberal,” institution.  Some community members blamed  radical feminism for tensions at Trinity.  But, Hines assured Pauli that he would have the “full support” of the administration.  

Giants of History and Culture, both resting with the ancestors. Toward the end of his career,   Art & Antiques magazine named Beard as one of America’s top100 collectors.  Beard's private collection was valued at nearly 5 million dollars before his untimely death in 2018.

Richmond Barthé Collection

This is one of several drawings in Richmond Barthé’s manuscript collection that are attributed to a 1948  commission by the Haitian government to complete a statue of Dessalines.  The sketch does not fully translate the monumentality of the final image, a 40-foot bronze statue.

Written shortly before his death in 1989, this passage from" Richmond Barthé’s personal memoirs,  describes his childhood "memories" of living in New Orleans.  The experience, it seems, left a lasting impression on Barthé--one that the artist recalled in vivid detail.

Rosmini was a contemporary of Bruce Nugent.  Giovanni, an important work in Richmond  Barthé's  oeuvre, demonstrates subtle his command of color.   One of his earliest works,  Barthé completed Giovanni before he was launched onto the national stage as a "sculptor." 

Nearly thirty-years later,  after laude for most of his professional career as a sculptor, Barthé's work would come full-circle , when Barthé wrote his friend Dorothy "Dot" Peterson to tell her that that he had his “first exhibition of paintings.Richmond Barthé Collection 

Target is a rare male sculptural image by Catlett.   Unlike the serene attachment seen in her mother and child figures,  the obstructive prism (cross-hairs) through which we "get out front of" to engage the trapped black man detaches. The "piece" is confrontational by design.

Louise E. Jefferson Collection