Melinda
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.
Artwork Details
- Title: Melinda
- Artist: Charles Wilbert White (American, Chicago, Illinois 1918–1979 Los Angeles, California)
- Printer: Joseph Mugnani (American, born Italy, 1912–1992)
- Printer: Hugo Mugnani (American, 1916–2001)
- Date: 1969
- Medium: Etching and drypoint
- Dimensions: plate: 10 13/16 x 21 13/16 in. (27.5 x 55.4 cm)
sheet: 18 x 27 5/8 in. (45.7 x 70.2 cm) - Classification: Prints
- Credit Line: Estate of Martin Birnbaum and Rogers Fund, Transfer from Modern, 1970
- Object Number: 1970.744.5
- Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints
More Artwork
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.