Object Details
Created by
Charles White, American, 1918 - 1979
Caption
Charles White’s drawing, Move On Up a Little Higher, interweaves themes of religion, music, visual art, and the struggle for civil rights. The title refers to a gospel song by William Herbert Brewster in the early 1940s. Brewster stated that he wrote the song to “inspire Black people to move up higher,” a dangerous message that could be sung, but not openly said, in the segregated South. Following Mahalia Jackson’s recording of the composition in 1948, “Move On Up a Little Higher” became an iconic song within the Civil Rights Movement.
White’s drawing reveals the immense power of Black women within the church, as well as in the struggle for race and gender equality.
Description
This charcoal and Wolff carbon pencil drawing depicts a monumental woman. She is seated centered left-of-center against a plain background. Gazing downwards with arms upraised, her robe is draped loosely across her lap. It is signed by the artist in the lower right corner.
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
Date
1961
Object number
2009.6
Restrictions & Rights
© 1961 The Charles White Archive
Permission required for use. Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
Type
drawings
portraits
Medium
charcoal black and carbon black pencil on illustration board
Dimensions
H x W: 40 1/4 × 48 × 3/16 in. (102.2 × 121.9 × 0.5 cm)
See more items in
National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification
Visual Arts
Movement
Civil Rights Movement
Data Source
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Topic
African American
Art
Christianity
Civil Rights
Gospel (Music)
Religion
The Black Church
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nmaahc_2009.6