Portrait of My Grandmother, Archibald Motley, 1922
I always try to visit this painting at the National Gallery of Art when I’m in D.C. This is Motley’s grandmother, Emily Sims Motley, who was born enslaved on a Louisiana sugar plantation and later lived free in Chicago. I love Emily’s portrait so much because it is so obvious that she was painted by someone who loved and respected her and loved and respected her story. It is honest and arresting. Look at her eyes! Look at her hands! Can you imagine the depth of her understanding of suffering and forbearance and her wisdom? Sometimes art speaks so much more than anything else could, especially when rendered by the hands of someone who loves his subject.
(Archibald Motley’s own story is just wonderful, you should read about him.)
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