The Song of the Blacks and the Blues

Cat. No. 649/II, variant

The Song of the Blacks and the Blues

State/Variant:
State II of II, variant
Date:
1996
Themes
Abstraction, Spirals
Techniques
Lithography, Relief
Support:
Wove paper, sewn onto wove paper
Dimensions:
composition: 21 5/8 x 96" (55 x 243.8 cm); sheet: 21 5/8 x 96" (55 x 243.8 cm)
Signature:
Not signed
Publisher
unpublished
Edition:
5 known variant impressions of state II, outside the edition
Edition Information:
The printer’s documentation sheet lists five trial proofs, as follows:
1. Black Background, white and black shapes
2. Black Background with color notations on shapes
3. Black background with red and blue shapes sewn on
4-5. Blue background with red and blue shapes

Proofs number 1 and 3 possibly correspond with state I and II, variant, respectively, in the Evolving Composition Diagram below. Proofs 2, 4, and 5 were not located and could not be examined.
Impression:
Not numbered
Curatorial Remarks:
This composition was initially printed in black, white, and gray, on white paper. It was then printed two additional times: in white ink on blue paper, and in white ink on red paper. Woodcut was used to add texture to the solid background areas. Wood grain is visible using the zoom feature. Separate compositional elements of the blue and red impressions were cut out and then sewn on top of the initial black, white, and gray impression. Hand additions in various colors were applied to further delineate shadows and highlights.
Description:
Lithograph and woodcut, with white and gouache, white, blue, pink, and peach oilstick, white chalk, and stitched collage additions
Inscription:
Verso: "For Print / Catalogue / sewed / applique/ to MoMA / unique" written sideways in upper left sheet, brown pencil, artist's hand.
State Changes and Additions:
Changes from state I, in lithography: additional spiral form delineated in far right composition.
MoMA Credit Line:
Gift of the artist
MoMA Accession Number:
229.1996
This Work in Other Collections:
The British Museum, London
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, Australia
National Museum of Women in the Arts, Washington, DC
© The Easton Foundation/VAGA at ARS, NY

The Song of the Blacks and the Blues

1996

Source

1989

Maggots
States
The Song of the Blacks and the Blues
The Song of the Blacks and the Blues
The Song of the Blacks and the Blues

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Cocoon, plate 6 of 7, from the portfolio, La Réparation
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Untitled, no. 12 of 12, from the portfolio, Anatomy

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