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"African Warrior", Important Costume Painting for Ballet Négre, Black Dance Co.

$4,500
£3,406.93
€3,945.62
CA$6,368.53
A$7,135.32
CHF 3,710.68
MX$86,449.82
NOK 47,275.71
SEK 44,133.51
DKK 29,453.25

About the Item

Important both artistically and historically, this gouache painting depicting an African warrior with spear and shield served as a costume proposal for "Jungle Nights," a production envisioned by Katherine Dunham for her Ballet Négre, a pioneering modern Black dance company in Chicago. Dunham had founded the company in 1931 with Mark Turbyfill, and their first performance that year was well-received. However, Dunham was drawn into many other pursuits, including academic study in anthropology, dancing for the Chicago Opera, and assisting Ruth Page's ballet company, so after a few months the company was disbanded. Later in the 1930s, the company was resurrected and Dunham married John Pratt, who designed sets and costumes for Ballet Négre, and may have been the painter for this piece. Dunham and her company appeared at the Chicago Century of Progress exposition in 1933, and she continued her pioneering dance and choreography for several decades. This painting is gouache on artist's board.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 20 in (50.8 cm)Width: 15 in (38.1 cm)Depth: 0.1 in (2.54 mm)
  • Style:
    Art Deco (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    Circa 1930s
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. Painted area in very good condition; darkening and toning throughout; edges of artist board show wear and losses; staining.
  • Seller Location:
    Philadelphia, PA
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU865146319792

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