Herstory

Art as Liberation: Elizabeth Catlett’s Compassionate Portrayal of Black Identity

Sabrina Phillips 16 December 2024 min Read

Elizabeth Catlett (1915–2012) stands tall as a monumental force in both art and social justice. With a career over seven dynamic decades, she fearlessly championed Black culture and spotlighted social inequities through her powerful sculptures and prints. This exploration of Catlett’s art shows her profound humanism and lifelong dedication to empowering marginalized communities.

elizabeth catlett: Elizabeth Catlett, Homage to My Black Sisters, 1968, Brooklyn Museum, New York City, NY, USA.

Elizabeth Catlett, Homage to My Black Sisters, 1968, Brooklyn Museum, New York City, NY, USA.

Inspired Roots

Catlett’s African American and Mexican heritage profoundly influenced her art and perspective. Her Black roots shaped her views on racial identity, social justice, and the strength of marginalized communities in the U.S. Her connection to Mexico, through marriage to Francisco Mora and studies with artists like Diego Rivera, enriched her art with themes of cultural pride, community solidarity, and the fight for equality.

Catlett’s dual heritage inspired her dedication to portraying dignity and strength in her sculptures and prints, which established her as a key figure at the intersection of art, identity, and social change.

I have always wanted my art to service my people to reflect us, to relate to us, to stimulate us, to make us aware of our potential. We have to create an art for liberation and for life.

Celebrating Identity and Resilience

Elizabeth Catlett’s immersion in Mexican Muralism, shaped by her apprenticeship with luminaries such as Diego Rivera and her integral role in the Taller de Gráfica Popular (People’s Graphic Workshop), profoundly enriched her artistic journey. Inspired by Mexican murals’ monumental scale and powerful narratives, she embraced a mission to illustrate and amplify marginalized identities.

elizabeth catlett: Elizabeth Catlett,  Three Women of America, 1990, private collection.

Elizabeth Catlett,  Three Women of America, 1990, private collection.

Three Women of America depicts a strong image of diversity and unity. The artwork portrays three women of different ethnic backgrounds—white, black, and brown—intertwined to symbolize their shared experiences. They share gazes, symbolizing their perspective and solidarity, while their overlapping arms and hands emphasize their connection and mutual support. Catlett employs bold colors and patterns to highlight each woman’s individuality while celebrating their shared humanity.

Honoring Generational Bonds

elizabeth catlett: Elizabeth Catlett, Seated Mother and Child, 1956, private collection.

Elizabeth Catlett, Seated Mother and Child, 1956, private collection.

Seated Mother and Child is a heartfelt bronze sculpture that delicately captures the enduring bond between a mother and child, showcasing Elizabeth Catlett’s meticulous craftsmanship. The choice of material adds a tactile and enduring quality rooted in Mexico’s rich sculptural tradition. Moreover, Catlett’s attention to detail imbues the artwork with depth, warmth, and sensitivity, highlighting the timeless themes of motherhood and ancestral strength.

Uplifting Voices

The Harlem Renaissance in the 1920s and 1930s deeply influenced Catlett’s perspective on Black culture and identity. Artists and writers of this era sought to challenge racial stereotypes and celebrate the richness of Black heritage through diverse artistic forms.

Her renowned series, The Black Woman, consists of 15 linocuts depicting leaders like Sojourner Truth and Harriet Tubman. Each piece in the series narrates stories of struggle and triumph with dignity and grace. These artworks capture Catlett’s compassionate portrayal of Black identity.

elizabeth catlett: Elizabeth Catlett, In Sojourner Truth I Fought for the Rights of Women as well as Negroes, from “The Black Woman” series, 1947, printed 1989, Whitney Museum of Art, New York City, NY, USA.

Elizabeth Catlett, In Sojourner Truth I Fought for the Rights of Women as well as Negroes, from “The Black Woman” series, 1947, printed 1989, Whitney Museum of Art, New York City, NY, USA.

Throughout her series, Elizabeth Catlett adeptly employs simple shapes that convey movement with minimal details, imparting immediate and impactful artistry. A standout piece, In Sojourner Truth I Fought for the Rights of Women as well as Negroes, from “The Black Woman” series, is the sixth linoleum cut dedicated to celebrating Black women’s labor and honoring heroines.

Sojourner Truth, born into slavery in 19th-century New York, is depicted as a commanding figure with a penetrating gaze. Elizabeth Catlett’s linocut of Sojourner Truth captures her iconic presence, emphasizing strength and determination in adversity. Her hands point skyward and rest by a Bible, symbolizing faith and dedication to abolitionism. Catlett’s precise linoleum incisions reflect her skilled printmaking techniques.

Art as Activism

elizabeth catlett: Elizabeth Catlett, Malcolm X Speaks for Us, 1969, Museum of Modern Art, New York City, NY, USA.

Elizabeth Catlett, Malcolm X Speaks for Us, 1969, Museum of Modern Art, New York City, NY, USA.

Malcolm X Speaks for Us showcases Catlett’s art as a potent political statement. In the 1960s and 1970s, she responded to the Civil Rights Movement with artworks honoring leaders like Malcolm X. In this piece, she juxtaposes dignified Black women, including a figure from her “Black Woman” series (1947), alongside Malcolm X, thereby highlighting women’s role in his message of Black liberation. Additionally, the print reflects Catlett’s transition in graphic art style from monochrome to vibrant, boldly colored works later in her career.

Inspiring Future Generations

elizabeth catlett: Elizabeth Catlett, New Generation, 1992, Lusenhop Fine Art, Cleveland, OH, USA.

Elizabeth Catlett, New Generation, 1992, Lusenhop Fine Art, Cleveland, OH, USA.

This touching portrait of a father and son captures hope, resilience, and the promise of the future. Catlett’s skilled craftsmanship and emotional portrayal embody the spirit and potential of the next generation amid social and cultural change.

Elizabeth Catlett’s legacy goes beyond her art, making a lasting impact on global culture. She challenged norms, fought for change, and inspired artists to use creativity for justice and equity. Her work prompts viewers to address injustice and embrace cultural identity with empathy and compassion.

Artworks from Elizabeth Catlett’s Prolific Oeuvre

AdVertisment

Bibliography

1.

Google Arts and Culture: Share Cropper

2.

The Art Insitute of Chicago: Special Houses

3.

Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts: Malcolm X Speaks for Us

5.

History.Com: Harlem Renaissance 

6.

National Museum of African American Culture and History: Phillis Wheatley

7.

National Women’s History Museum: Sojourner Truth 

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