Object Details
Artist
Marc Klionsky, 22 Feb 1927 - 17 Sep 2017
Sitter
Dizzy Gillespie, 21 Oct 1917 - 6 Jan 1993
Exhibition Label
Born Cheraw, South Carolina
In the early 1940s, the young jazz trumpet player Dizzy Gillespie began meeting with several other musicians, including Thelonious Monk and Charlie Parker, at a New York City nightclub to explore a new form of musical expression. Out of these sessions came the infectious energy of Bebop. Aimed at evolving jazz out of its earlier swing mode, the new music initially offended some traditionalists but ultimately found a niche in the popular-music mainstream. In the 1970s, a critic proclaimed Gillespie “the world’s greatest trumpet [player] in or out of jazz.”
Gillespie’s interest in African American culture is reflected in this portrait, in which artist Marc Klionsky—following conversations with the musician about his heritage—flanked Gillespie with African masks.
Nacido en Cheraw, Carolina del Sur
En la década de 1940, el joven trompetista de jazz Dizzy Gillespie empezó a reunirse con músicos como Thelonious Monk y Charlie Parker en un club nocturno neoyorquino para explorar una nueva forma de expresión musical. De allí surgió la energía contagiosa del bebop. La nueva modalidad aspiraba a transformar el jazz dejando atrás el swing, y al principio resultó ofensiva para ciertos tradicionalistas, pero terminó por encontrar su nicho en la corriente dominante de la música popular. En la década de 1970, un crítico proclamó a Gillespie “el más grande trompetista del mundo, dentro y fuera del jazz”.
El interés de Gillespie en la cultura afroamericana se refleja en este retrato del artista Marc Klionsky, quien a raíz de conversaciones sobre sus raíces lo pintó flanqueado por máscaras africanas.
Provenance
The artist; purchased as gift for NPG by Simon Chilewich
Credit Line
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift of the Estate of Aron Chilewich
Date
1988
Object number
NPG.93.475
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Copyright
© 1988, Marc Klionsky
Type
Painting
Medium
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
Stretcher: 132.7 x 168.3 x 3.8cm (52 1/4 x 66 1/4 x 1 1/2")
Frame: 137.2 x 172.7 x 5.4cm (54 x 68 x 2 1/8")
See more items in
National Portrait Gallery Collection
Exhibition
American Winners: Athletes and Entertainers Who Shaped the Nation
On View
NPG, West Gallery 240
Data Source
National Portrait Gallery
Topic
Costume\Jewelry\Necklace
Interior
Costume\Jewelry\Ring
Music\Musical instrument\Trumpet
Artwork\Sculpture\Statue
Costume\Dress Accessory\Mask
Personal Attribute\Facial Hair\Goatee
Dizzy Gillespie: Male
Dizzy Gillespie: Arts and Culture\Performing Arts\Music\Musician\Jazz musician
Dizzy Gillespie: Arts and Culture\Performing Arts\Music\Musician\Horn player\Trumpeter
Dizzy Gillespie: Performing arts awards\Grammy
Portrait
Link to Original Record
Record ID
npg_NPG.93.475