Silent Song #2 (Nocturne)
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.
Artwork Details
- Title: Silent Song #2 (Nocturne)
- 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: 12 11/16 x 14 in. (32.2 x 35.6 cm)
- Classification: Prints
- Credit Line: Estate of Martin Birnbaum and Rogers Fund, Transfer from Modern, 1970
- Object Number: 1970.744.1
- Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints
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Charles Wilbert White
1970
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