Family

Romare Bearden, Family, 1986, collage on wood, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the General Services Administration, Art-in-Architecture Program, 1990.37, © 1988, Estate of Romare Bearden
Copied Romare Bearden, Family, 1986, collage on wood, 28 x 20 in. (71.1 x 50.8 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the General Services Administration, Art-in-Architecture Program, 1990.37, © 1988, Estate of Romare Bearden

Artwork Details

Title
Family
Artist
Date
1986
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
28 x 20 in. (71.1 x 50.8 cm)
Copyright
© 1988, Estate of Romare Bearden
Credit Line
Transfer from the General Services Administration, Art-in-Architecture Program
Mediums Description
collage on wood
Subjects
  • Landscape — tree
  • Figure group — family
  • African American
  • Architecture Exterior — detail — porch
Object Number
1990.37
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1990.37

Artwork Description

Family is the preliminary model for a ceramic tile mural Bearden created for the Joseph P. Addabbo Federal Building in Jamaica, New York. The overlapping forms of hands and arms reinforce the scene of family and generational bonding. The grandfather’s outward gaze connects the viewer with this scene of heritage and hope.

Modern Masters: Midcentury Abstraction from the Smithsonian American Art Museum, 2008