CHARLES WHITE

Charles White Sketchbook

Charles White, an artist recognized for his extraordinary draftsmanship, dedicated his life and work to examining the heroism, tribulations, hopes, histories, and strengths of black people. He held steadfast throughout his productive career to the notion that his art had to echo the sentiments and the beauty of the black race. The poetic vision that White shared with the world is composed of powerful images of stunning people of African ancestry at a time when such images were not in vogue. Although this particular group of drawings and watercolors are primarily studies for larger works, they poignantly show the artist’s drawing skills as well as his devotion to working on paper. During his long and active career, White produced etchings, lithographs, drawings, paintings and murals. The artist had and continues to have an extensive exhibition history. His works are included in more than fifty major museum collections, including the Art Institute of Chicago, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Whitney Museum of Art, MOMA, and the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC. Amajor, traveling retrospective exhibition, which began at TheArt Institute of Chicago, is currently on viewat theMuseumofModern Art through January 13. Following its MoMA presentation, the exhibition will travel to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, where it will be on view from February 17 through June 9, 2019.

Excerpts from Charles White by Andrea D. Barnwell

Cover: PORTRAIT OF A YOUNG WOMAN 1935 Pencil on Paper 12 x 9 inches

Charles White sketchbook

625 South Sharon Amity Road Charlotte, NC 28211 704.365.3000 gallery@jeraldmelberg.com www.jeraldmelberg.com

PORTRAIT OF A YOUNG WOMAN 1935 Pencil on Paper 12 x 9 inches

HEAD STUDY c. 1935-38 Pencil on Paper 12 x 9 inches

YOUNG WOMAN WITH HAND AT MOUTH c. 1935-38 Pencil on Paper 9 7/8 x 7 3/4 inches

TWO PROFILE STUDIES c. 1935-38 Pencil on Paper 9 7/8 x 7 3/4 inches

HELP! CHICAGO Verso

HELP! CHICAGO c. 1935-38 Pencil on Newsprint taped to Wove Paper 9 1/4 x 7 5/8 inches

DESIGN FOR BLOCK PRINT (MAN WITH ACCORDIAN AND WOMAN) c. 1935-38 Pencil on Paper 9 7/8 x 7 3/4 inches

DRAWING FOR BLOCK PRINT (TWO WOMEN WITH MASK) c. 1935-38 Pencil on Paper 9 7/8 x 7 3/4 inches

WOMAN IN BLUE DRESS c. 1935-38 Watercolor on Paper 8 3/4 x 6 inches

WOMAN IN DRESS c. 1935-38 Watercolor on Paper 9 x 6 inches

STANDING NUDE c. 1935-38 Pen, Ink and Pencil on Paper 9 7/8 x 7 5/8 inches

DANCERS c. 1935-38 Pencil on Paper 9 7/8 x 7 1/2 inches

RECLINING WOMAN IN TROUSERS c. 1935-38 Pen, Ink and Pencil on Paper 7 5/8 x 10 inches

STANDING NUDE WITH HAND ON HIP c. 1935-38 Pencil on Paper 9 7/8 x 7 1/2 inches

SEATED NUDE c. 1935-38 Pencil on Paper 9 7/8 x 7 1/2 inches

STANDING NUDE FROM REAR c. 1935-38 Pencil on Paper 9 7/8 x 7 1/2 inches

RECLINING NUDE c. 1935-38 Pencil on Paper 9 7/8 x 7 1/2 inches

WOMEN’S HIGH HEELED SHOES c. 1935-38 Pencil on Paper 9 7/8 x 7 5/8 inches

HAND c. 1935-38 Pencil on Paper 9 7/8 x 7 3/4 inches

STANDING NUDE WITH ARMS RAISED TO THE LEFT Verso

STANDING NUDE WITH ARMS RAISED TO THE LEFT c. 1935-38 Pencil on Paper 9 7/8 x 7 1/2 inches

HEAD OF A MAN c. 1935-38 Pencil on Paper 9 7/8 x 7 3/4 inches

CHARLES WHITE (1918-1979)

Charles W. White, born in 1918, is one of America’smost renowned and recognized African-American and Social Realist artists. Working primarily in black/ white and sepia/white, he encompassed an incredibly skilled draftsmanship and artistic sensitivity and power that has reached and moved millions. His meticulously executed drawings and paintings speak of and affirm the humanity and beauty ofAfricanAmerican people and culture.

Always harboring genuine love for art that depicted the human condition within the social order, White made visual narrations that centered principally on people in search of the good life. This was the charge he brought unfailingly to his art. - David C. Driskell He received numerous honors and awards and has been exhibited at the Art Institute of Chicago, Whitney Museum, Metropolitan Museum, Smithsonian Institution, National Academy of Design, and elsewhere throughout the world. He was elected to the National Academy of Design in 1972. The Heritage Gallery had represented Charles White from the early 1960s, when Mr. Horowitz provided Mr. White his first show in Los Angeles, California.

625 South Sharon Amity Road Charlotte, NC 28211 704.365.3000 gallery@jeraldmelberg.com www.jeraldmelberg.com