Melinda

Charles Wilbert White|Joseph Mugnani|Hugo Mugnani

1969 · Etching and drypoint · Drawings and Prints

White believed in creating representational art that would connect with the public as well as advocate for racial, economic, and social justice. Active for several decades, White had a profound influence on generations of artists and students. His art consistently reflected his mission to create positive images of Black Americans. He depicted both celebrated people, such as the social reformer Frederick Douglass, and anonymous figures. Childhood was a reoccurring motif in White’s work. Here, White shows the head and shoulders of a young girl, who turns her face to look off the edge of the sheet. While generally a realistic work, the image incorporates elements of abstraction like the deeply textured crosshatching in the girl’s hair.

Artist

Charles Wilbert White|Joseph Mugnani|Hugo Mugnani

Date

1969

Medium

Etching and drypoint

Department

Drawings and Prints

Credit line

Estate of Martin Birnbaum and Rogers Fund, Transfer from Modern, 1970