Description
Book Synopsis: An ambitious and revelatory investigation of the black female figure in modern art, tracing the legacy of Manet through to contemporary art. This revelatory study investigates how changing modes of representing the black female figure were foundational to the development of modern art. Posing Modernity examines the legacy of Édouard Manet's Olympia (1863), arguing that this radical painting marked a fitfully evolving shift toward modernist portrayals of the black figure as an active participant in everyday life rather than as an exotic "other." Denise Murrell explores the little-known interfaces between the avant-gardists of nineteenth-century Paris and the post-abolition community of free black Parisians. She traces the impact of Manet's reconsideration of the black model into the twentieth century and across the Atlantic, where Henri Matisse visited Harlem jazz clubs and later produced transformative portraits of black dancers as icons of modern beauty. These and other works by the artist are set in dialogue with the urbane "New Negro" portraiture style with which Harlem Renaissance artists including Charles Alston and Laura Wheeler Waring defied racial stereotypes. The book concludes with a look at how Manet's and Matisse's depictions influenced Romare Bearden and continue to reverberate in the work of such global contemporary artists as Faith Ringgold, Aimé Mpane, Maud Sulter, and Mickalene Thomas, who draw on art history to explore its multiple voices.
Featuring over 175 illustrations and profiles of several models, Posing Modernity illuminates long-obscured figures and proposes that a history of modernism cannot be complete until it examines the vital role of the black female muse within it. Published in association with the Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Art Gallery, Columbia University in the City of New York.
Exhibition Schedule:
- Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Art Gallery, Columbia University, New York (10/24/18–02/10/19)
- Musée d'Orsay (03/25/19–07/14/19)
Details
Looking for a thought-provoking and eye-opening book? Look no further than Posing Modernity: The Black Model from Manet and Matisse to Today. This groundbreaking study explores the representation of black female figures in modern art, tracing the influence of Édouard Manet's iconic painting, Olympia, on the development of modernist portrayals of black women. By examining the impact of Manet's work and the artistic dialogues it sparked, Denise Murrell uncovers a previously overlooked history of black models as active participants in the art world.
What sets Posing Modernity apart is its ambition. Murrell not only extends her investigation to the twentieth century, but also explores the global impact of Manet's and Matisse's depictions. From Harlem to Paris, jazz clubs to iconic portraits, this book reveals the profound influence of these artists on the perception of black beauty and identity. With over 175 illustrations and profiles of the models who inspired these works, Posing Modernity is a visual feast that offers a fresh perspective on the history of modernism.
But Posing Modernity doesn't stop at uncovering the past; it connects the dots to the present. As you dive into the pages of this book, you'll discover how artists like Romare Bearden, Faith Ringgold, and Mickalene Thomas continue to draw on the legacy of Manet and Matisse, creating powerful and thought-provoking contemporary art. By exploring multiple voices within art history, Posing Modernity challenges the traditional narratives and offers a compelling and inclusive perspective.
If you're a lover of art, culture, or history, Posing Modernity is a must-have addition to your collection. It will open your eyes to a previously unrecognized chapter of art history and inspire you to question the status quo. Don't miss out on this transformative exploration of the black female muse in modern art. Grab your copy now and embark on a journey through time and creativity.
Get your copy of Posing Modernity: The Black Model from Manet and Matisse to Today and join the conversation on the vital role of black women in shaping the art world!
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