April 4

Sam Gilliam, April 4, 1969, acrylic on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase, 1973.115
Sam Gilliam, April 4, 1969, acrylic on canvas, 110 x 179 3⁄4 in. (279.4 x 456.6 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase, 1973.115

Artwork Details

Title
April 4
Artist
Date
1969
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
110 x 179 3⁄4 in. (279.4 x 456.6 cm)
Credit Line
Museum purchase
Mediums
Mediums Description
acrylic on canvas
Classifications
Highlights
Subjects
  • History — United States — Civil Rights Movement
  • History — United States — Black History
  • Abstract
Object Number
1973.115
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1973.115

Artwork Description

Like Alma Thomas, Gilliam remained dedicated to abstract expression at a time when many other African American artists promoted explicit social commentary in their work. April 4--whose title references the day in 1968 when Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated -- is a rare instance in which he openly invites connections with topical issues. From the window of his Johnson Avenue studio, the artist had witnessed the devastating looting and fires that broke out along 14th Street in Washington, DC, upon news of King's death. A year later, when he made this painting, much of the damage remained unrepaired. The dark stains in the canvas could suggest the violence of the assassination and its traumatic aftermath. At the same time, its luminous, majestic color honors King and his work, implying a sense of hope.

Works by this artist (24 items)

View all artworks
Luis Jiménez, Vaquero, modeled 1980/cast 1990, acrylic urethane, fiberglass, steel armature, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Judith and Wilbur L. Ross, Jr., Anne and Ronald Abramson, and Thelma and Melvin Lenkin, 1990.44, © 1980, Luis Jiménez
Vaquero
Artist
Datemodeled 1980/cast 1990
acrylic urethane, fiberglass, steel armature
On view
Luis Jiménez, Model for "Fiesta", 1986, cast fiberglass, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the General Services Administration, Public Buildings Service, 1987.14.1, © 1986, Luis Jiménez
Model for ​“Fiesta”
Artist
Date1986
cast fiberglass
On view
Luis Jiménez, Man on Fire, 1969, fiberglass in acrylic urethane resin on painted wood fiberboard base, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Philip Morris Incorporated, 1979.124, © 1969, Luis Jiménez
Man on Fire
Artist
Date1969
fiberglass in acrylic urethane resin on painted wood fiberboard base
On view
Luis Jiménez, Coyote, 1993, watercolor with pencil, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Frank K. Ribelin, 1997.10, © 1993, Luis Jiménez
Coyote
Artist
Date1993
watercolor with pencil
Not on view

More Artworks from the Collection

Browse All Artworks
Luis Jiménez, Vaquero, modeled 1980/cast 1990, acrylic urethane, fiberglass, steel armature, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Judith and Wilbur L. Ross, Jr., Anne and Ronald Abramson, and Thelma and Melvin Lenkin, 1990.44, © 1980, Luis Jiménez
Vaquero
Artist
Datemodeled 1980/cast 1990
acrylic urethane, fiberglass, steel armature
On view
John McCracken, Untitled, 1981, resin and fiberglass, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Edith S. and Arthur J. Levin, 2005.5.45
Untitled
Artist
Date1981
resin and fiberglass
Not on view
Luis Jiménez, Model for "Fiesta", 1986, cast fiberglass, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the General Services Administration, Public Buildings Service, 1987.14.1, © 1986, Luis Jiménez
Model for ​“Fiesta”
Artist
Date1986
cast fiberglass
On view
Jeremy Anderson, Triumph of the Egg, 1970, assembled, painted and shellacked wood, fiberglass and sand, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Chuck and Jan Rosenak, 1983.92.1
Triumph of the Egg
Artist
Date1970
assembled, painted and shellacked wood, fiberglass and sand
On view