More of Beauford's Blues

I recently came across an article on color psychology that described various reactions to and interpretations of the color "blue."

It reminded me that Les Amis has published two articles about Beauford's use of this color:

Beauford's Blues - Part 1

Beauford"s Blues - Part 2

And it inspired me to look for additional works that feature light blue, a color that is frequently associated with relaxation, tranquility, and peace.

Untitled
(1960) Gouache and watercolor on paper
© Estate of Beauford Delaney
by permission of Derek L. Spratley, Esquire,
Court Appointed Administrator
Courtesy of Michael Rosenfeld Gallery, LLC, New York, NY

Self-portrait
(Undated) Oil on board
© Estate of Beauford Delaney
by permission of Derek L. Spratley, Esquire,
Court Appointed Administrator
Courtesy of Michael Rosenfeld Gallery, LLC, New York, NY

Untitled
(1962) Oil on canvas
© Estate of Beauford Delaney
by permission of Derek L. Spratley, Esquire,
Court Appointed Administrator
Courtesy of Michael Rosenfeld Gallery, LLC, New York, NY

Beauford's Geographies

The Light Beyond the Canvas catalog for The Beauford Delaney Papers—the largest existing archive for Beauford's life and work—provides an intriguing glimpse into the wonders of this archive, which is held by the Betsey B. Creekmore Special Collections and University Archives at the University of Tennessee Knoxville University Libraries.

Light Beyond the Canvas catalog
© Les Amis de Beauford Delaney

The catalog places considerable emphasis on Beauford's "geographies"—the places and spaces he navigated in Knoxville, New York, and Paris. A sketchbook map of the Odéon and Saint Germain districts of Paris illustrates this beautifully.

Left Bank Paris Map, c. 1950s
Betsey B. Creekmore Special Collections and University Archives,
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
© Estate of Beauford Delaney
by permission of Derek L. Spratley, Esquire,
Court Appointed Administrator
Courtesy of Michael Rosenfeld Gallery, LLC, New York, NY

Seeing this image in the catalog reminded me of the Beauford Delaney in Saint-Germain-des-Prés walking tour that Entrée to Black Paris tours created to support the exhibition the library has curated to celebrate the acquisition of the archive.

It also inspired me to look up the article about Beauford in Saint Germain that Les Amis published in April 2015:

Beauford's Paris: Saint Germain des Prés

This is one of many articles that fall under the category "Beauford's Paris." Les Amis has published numerous articles about Beauford's haunts in Knoxville, Boston, and New York City as well.

Light Beyond the Canvas will be on display in the exhibit area of the University Libraries through May 2026.

Nadeau's Sells Beauford's Abstract Composition in Red

On February 21, 2026, Nadeau's Auction Gallery of Windsor, CT offered Beauford's Abstract Composition in Red for sale during its 2026 Custom Furnishings, Antiques, Fine Art, & Decor auction.

Abstract Composition in Red
(undated) Oil on paper
Marked lower right Beauford Delaney
24″ x 17 1/2″ sheet
© Estate of Beauford Delaney
by permission of Derek L. Spratley, Esquire,
Court Appointed Administrator
Courtesy of Michael Rosenfeld Gallery, LLC, New York, NY

The estimated sale price for the work was $800 to $1200.

It sold for $20,740, including a 22% buyer's premium.

For details about the sale, click HERE.

Beauford's Jean-Claude Killy-Inspired Works

As the 2026 Winter Olympics come to a close in Italy and France prepares to host the 2030 Winter Games, my thoughts turn to Beauford's paintings of Jean-Claude Killy.

In 2014, Les Amis posted about an abstract work entitled Jean-Claude Killy that Beauford painted in 1962.

Jean-Claude Killy
(1962) Gouache on paper
© Estate of Beauford Delaney,
by permission of Derek L. Spratley, Esquire,
Court Appointed Administrator
Courtesy of the Michael Rosenfeld Gallery, LLC, New York, NY

Killy was featured in Paris Match magazine in January of that year. He subsequently broke his leg and was unable to compete in the 1962 World Cup competition.

Six years later, he made Olympic history when he won the "Triple Crown" of alpine skiing by taking the gold in the downhill, giant slalom, and slalom competitions.

Beauford's 1968 portrait of Killy was inspired this success.

Jean-Claude Killy
(1968) Oil on canvas
© Estate of Beauford Delaney,
by permission of Derek L. Spratley, Esquire,
Court Appointed Administrator
Courtesy of the Michael Rosenfeld Gallery, LLC, New York, NY

He referenced two press images of the athlete to create this work—one from the cover of Historia Magazine and the other from a photo of Killy in mid-air during a ski run at the Grenoble games.

There is no mention of Killy in the biography entitled Amazing Grace: A Life of Beauford Delaney by David Leeming.