Silent Song #2 (Nocturne)

Charles Wilbert White|Joseph Mugnani|Hugo Mugnani

1969 · Etching and drypoint · Drawings and Prints

As an artist dedicated to promoting civil rights, White gravitated to printmaking early in his career for its technical and visual accessibility. When White began making metal etchings, he excelled at the technique, producing images of Black Americans with the same sensitivity and detail as seen in his drawings. Here, White shows a young boy in profile, his eyes raised toward the sky. The artist surrounds the boy’s delicate features with an abstract thicket of lines. By altering tones, as well as the depth, length, and thickness of lines, White creates contrasting outlines and dramatic lighting.

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