In the Garden from the Prevalence of Ritual Suite

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Romare Bearden, In the Garden from the Prevalence of Ritual Suite, 1974, screenprint, image: 36 x 29 in. (91.4 x 73.7 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Byron Lewis, 2009.42.4

Artwork Details

Title
In the Garden from the Prevalence of Ritual Suite
Artist
Date
1974
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
image: 36 x 29 in. (91.4 x 73.7 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of Byron Lewis
Mediums Description
screenprint
Classifications
Subjects
  • Figure female — full length
  • Landscape — garden
Object Number
2009.42.4
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/2009.42.4

Artwork Description

In 1974, Bearden created series of five screen prints he titled the Prevalence of Ritual that presented episodes from Greek mythology and stories from the Bible through a Southern lens. In the Garden is an obvious allusion to Eve and the Garden of Eden, but Bearden shows the Eve figure in the guise of a “conjur” woman or Southern healer. He said: “She was called upon to prepare love potions…and to be consulted regarding vexing personal and family problems. Much of her knowledge had been passed on through generations from an African past, although a great deal was learned from American Indians.”


African American Art: Harlem Renaissance, Civil Rights Era, and Beyond, 2012

Works by this artist (16 items)

View all artworks
Kiff Slemmons, Untitled, n.d., paper and prints, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Rotasa Collection Trust, 2022.27.15
Untitled
Artist
Daten.d.
paper and prints
Not on view
Kiff Slemmons, Ringmaster (brooch), 1991, sterling silver and sea glass, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Susan Beech Collection, 2024.50.86, Photo by Robert Diamante
Ringmaster (brooch)
Artist
Date1991
sterling silver and sea glass
Not on view
Image Not Available
Apis mellifera (brooch)
Artist
Date1996
sterling silver, copper, and nickel silver
Not on view
Image Not Available
Huesos (necklace)
Artist
Date2010-2011
paper made of cotton and agave fiber
Not on view

More Artworks from the Collection

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Beatrice Wood, Small Plate from the Yellow Luncheon Service for Six, 1951, earthenware and glaze, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Howard Kottler Endowment for Ceramic Art, 2008.5.8
Small Plate from the Yellow Luncheon Service for Six
Artist
Date1951
earthenware and glaze
Not on view
Beatrice Wood, Ceramic Service for Eight (64 pieces with 10 serving pieces), ca. 1979, earthenware with lusters, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of George C. Zachary in memory of Beatrice Wood's centennial birthday and in memory of John Waller, 1993.64.1-74
Ceramic Service for Eight (64 pieces with 10 serving pieces)
Artist
Dateca. 1979
earthenware with lusters
Not on view
Beatrice Wood, Vase, ca. 1978, earthenware with lustres, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Jane Warren Larson, 1991.140
Vase
Artist
Dateca. 1978
earthenware with lustres
On view
Beatrice Wood, Large Plate from the Yellow Luncheon Service for Six, 1951, earthenware and glaze, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Howard Kottler Endowment for Ceramic Art, 2008.5.1
Large Plate from the Yellow Luncheon Service for Six
Artist
Date1951
earthenware and glaze
Not on view