Beauford's African Motif

This month, France is wrapping up a pan-African and multidisciplinary project called Africa2020, which focuses on innovation in the arts, sciences, technology, entrepreneurship and the economy. 

In thinking about innovation, the arts, and Africa, I thought about Beauford's many works that were inspired by the continent throughout the years. I share images of a few of them below. 

 

Untitled

(c. 1945) Oil on masonite

Art for invitation card for the 1994 Philippe Briet retrospective entitled

Beauford Delaney: The New York Years

© Estate of Beauford Delaney
by permission of Derek L. Spratley, Esq.,
Court Appointed Administrator
Image courtesy of Sylvain Briet

 

Untitled (Fang, Crow and Fruit)
(1945) Oil on canvas
Brooklyn Museum
Brooklyn, NY
© Estate of Beauford Delaney
by permission of Derek L. Spratley, Esq.,
Court Appointed Administrator

 

Untitled (African Figure)
(c. 1968) Oil monoprint on paper
Knoxville Museum of Art
Knoxville, TN
© Estate of Beauford Delaney
by permission of Derek L. Spratley, Esquire,
Court Appointed Administrator

 

 Self-portrait in a Paris Bath House
(1971) Oil on canvas
Knoxville Museum of Art
Knoxville, TN
© Estate of Beauford Delaney
by permission of Derek L. Spratley, Esquire,
Court Appointed Administrator

 

Man in African Dress
(c. 1972) Oil on canvas
© Estate of Beauford Delaney
by permission of Derek L. Spratley, Esquire,
Court Appointed Administrator
Image courtesy of Michael Rosenfeld Gallery LLC
New York, NY