Family Ark

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© John T. Biggers Estate / Licensed by VAGA at Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York, Estate Represented by Michael Rosenfeld Gallery. A downloadable image is unavailable for this object due to copyright, trademark or related rights.

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Family Ark

1992

John Biggers (American, 1924–2001) Published by Brandywine Workshop, Philadelphia

A distinguished muralist, painter, and teacher, Biggers founded the art department at what is now Texas Southern University in Houston in 1949. A key aspect of his legacy is his transmission of the importance of understanding and addressing one’s heritage to generations of African American students. In this composition, filled with symbols and objects from African and African American history, art, and religion, Biggers presents a family united in prayer in a triptych format resembling an altarpiece. The head wrap on the woman with outstretched arms at the center evokes the horned headdress of Hathor, the Egyptian goddess of love and protection.

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Object Details

Titles:

Family Ark

Date:

1992

Artists:

John Biggers (American, 1924–2001) Published by Brandywine Workshop, Philadelphia

Medium:

Color offset lithograph, triptych

Dimensions:

Image (overall): 29 3/8 x 49 1/2 inches (74.6 x 125.7 cm) Image and sheet (left panel, 2009-61-7a): 29 3/8 x 13 15/16 inches (74.6 x 35.4 cm) Image and sheet (center panel, 1999-122-2): 29 3/8 x 21 9/16 inches (74.6 x 54.8 cm) Image and sheet (right panel, 2009-61-7b): 29 3/8 x 13 15/16 inches (74.6 x 35.4 cm)

Classification:

Prints

Credit Line:

Purchased with the Print Revolving Fund, 1999; Gift of the Brandywine Workshop, Philadelphia, in memory of Anne d'Harnoncourt, 2009

Accession Number:

1999-122-2;2009-61-7a,b

Geography:

Published in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, North and Central America

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