Angola’s Dreams Grasp Finger Tips

Emilio Cruz, Angola's Dreams Grasp Finger Tips, 1973, acrylic on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. David K. Anderson, Martha Jackson Memorial Collection, 1980.137.20
Emilio Cruz, Angola's Dreams Grasp Finger Tips, 1973, acrylic on canvas, 84 1884 in. (213.7213.4 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. David K. Anderson, Martha Jackson Memorial Collection, 1980.137.20

Artwork Details

Title
Angola’s Dreams Grasp Finger Tips
Artist
Date
1973
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
84 1884 in. (213.7213.4 cm.)
Credit Line
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. David K. Anderson, Martha Jackson Memorial Collection
Mediums
Mediums Description
acrylic on canvas
Classifications
Subjects
  • Abstract
Object Number
1980.137.20

Artwork Description

Angola’s Dreams was inspired by Cruz’s sympathy for two Angolan men he met in Rome who had spent their lives trying to secure support for the country’s struggle for freedom from Portugal. In Cruz’s words, “these two bedraggled spirits were perhaps the most intense individuals I have ever met. Neither one could speak English so we communicated with Spanish mixed with Italian, perhaps at times assimilating Portuguese…Our souls touched and I understood the life that blooms when people have dedicated their lives to what they believe to be a just cause.”


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

Works by this artist (1036 items)

William H. Johnson, Young Pastry Cook, ca. 1928-1930, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.693
Young Pastry Cook
Dateca. 1928-1930
oil on canvas
On view
William H. Johnson, Portrait of a Man, ca. 1935-1938, oil on burlap, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.814
Portrait of a Man
Dateca. 1935-1938
oil on burlap
On view
William H. Johnson, Breakdown with Flat Tire, ca. 1940-1941, oil on plywood, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.587
Breakdown with Flat Tire
Dateca. 1940-1941
oil on plywood
On view
William H. Johnson, For India and China, ca. 1944-1945, oil on paperboard, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.662
For India and China
Dateca. 1944-1945
oil on paperboard
On view