Object Details
Artist
Sara S. Miller, 1924 - 2016
Sitter
Gwendolyn Elizabeth Brooks, 7 Jun 1917 - 3 Dec 2000
Exhibition Label
Born Topeka, Kansas
“Blackness is what I know best. I want to talk about it, with definitive illustration,” declared writer and poet laureate Gwendolyn Brooks. From her sensitive, autobiographical novel Maud Martha (1953) to her popular rhythmic poem “We Real Cool,” she portrayed urban African American life with poignancy, artistry, and pride.
Brooks responded powerfully to the horrific 1955 murder of fourteen-year-old Emmett Till by white supremacists. Published in 1960, her poems “A Bronzeville Mother Loiters in Mississippi. Meanwhile, a Mississippi Mother Burns Bacon” and “The Last Quatrain of the Ballad of Emmett Till” are moving meditations on the aftermath of Till’s murder.
Nacida en Topeka, Kansas
“La condición del negro es lo que más conozco. De eso quiero hablar, con erudición definitiva”, dijo la escritora y poeta Gwendolyn Brooks. Desde su sensible novela autobiográfica Maud Martha (1953) hasta su popular poema rítmico “We Real Cool”, presentó la vida urbana afroamericana con emoción, arte y orgullo.
Brooks reaccionó con vehemencia al horroroso asesinato del joven de 14 años Emmett Till por supremacistas blancos en 1955. Publicados en 1960, sus poemas “Una madre de Bronzeville deambula por Misisipi. Mientras, una madre de Misisipi quema tocino” y “El último cuarteto de la balada de Emmett Till” son emotivas meditaciones sobre la secuela del asesinato de Till.
Provenance
Sara S. Miller [1924-2016]; purchased NPG 1994
Credit Line
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution
Date
1994
Object number
NPG.94.303
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Copyright
© Sara S. Miller, 1994
Type
Sculpture
Medium
Bronze
Dimensions
With Base: 45.7 x 18.7 x 22.9cm (18 x 7 3/8 x 9")
Without Base: 31.8 x 18.7 x 22.9cm (12 1/2 x 7 3/8 x 9")
Mount: 17.5 x 17.5cm (6 7/8 x 6 7/8")
Place
United States\Illinois\Cook\Chicago
See more items in
National Portrait Gallery Collection
Exhibition
The Struggle for Justice - Current Installation
On View
NPG, West Gallery 220
Data Source
National Portrait Gallery
Topic
Sculpture
Gwendolyn Elizabeth Brooks: Female
Gwendolyn Elizabeth Brooks: Arts and Culture\Education and Scholarship\Educator\Lecturer
Gwendolyn Elizabeth Brooks: Arts and Culture\Literature\Writer\Poet
Gwendolyn Elizabeth Brooks: Arts and Culture\Literature\Writer\Novelist
Gwendolyn Elizabeth Brooks: Literary awards\Pulitzer Prize
Portrait
Link to Original Record
Record ID
npg_NPG.94.303