Object Details
Photograph by
Carrie Mae Weems, American, born 1953
Subject of
Billie Holiday, American, 1915 - 1959
Description
Color inkjet print (a) of Billie Holiday in a green frame (b).
The photograph (a) is intentionally out of focus. A close-up of Billie Holiday's face is on the left side looking off camera. There is a purple hue over Holiday and a black background. Holiday has a large accessory in her hair. She is wearing a black top and a layered necklace. The bottom right corner has illegible text. Th original image was the album cover art for "Lady Day: The Complete Billie Holiday on Columbia 1933–1944." In the original image, the flower accessory in Holiday's hair, layered pearl necklace with matching earrings, and sequin detailing on her black top are visible. The text on the right side of the cover has the album name.
The photograph is inset in the frame (b). The back borders of the frame are raised and have paper tape around the edges. At the top is a sticker with the TransArt International shipping label. The center portion of the frame has two white adhesive labels, one with information about the artist, Carrie Mae Weems. The other has exhibit details and the address for the Jack Shainman Gallery. Below this tag is information about the frame with cleaning instructions marked in black pen. There is a corded metal wire screwed into the frame to hang the photograph.
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Jo Carole and Ronald S. Lauder in honor of Richard and Laura Parsons, Colin and Alma Powell, and Darren Walker
Date
2009-2010
Object number
2017.20.2ab
Restrictions & Rights
© Carrie Mae Weems
Permission required for use. Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
Type
portraits
inkjet prints
Medium
inkjet print (a): ink on photographic paper;
frame (b): acrylic, wood, wire and metal
Dimensions
H x W (Image): 11 3/4 × 8 3/4 in. (29.8 × 22.2 cm)
H x W x D (Frame): 12 7/8 × 9 7/8 × 1 1/2 in. (32.7 × 25.1 × 3.8 cm)
See more items in
National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Portfolio/Series
Slow Fade to Black
Classification
Visual Arts
Photographs and Still Images
Data Source
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Topic
African American
Art
Entertainers
Jazz (Music)
Photography
Singers (Musicians)
Women
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nmaahc_2017.20.2ab