Swann Galleries - African-American Fine Art - Sale 2402

●

ELIZABETH CATLETT (1915 - 2012)

Howard University Choir

Pen and ink on two joined sheets of cream wove paper, 1932. 133x108 mm; 5

inches. Signed

and dated in ink, lower right.

An added strip of paper with the musical notes covers a different musical phrase with an ink

inscription “How-ardWe Sing of Thee” on the original drawing.

Provenance: Loïs Mailou Jones,Washinton, DC; private collection, Maryland.

This drawing was found in a portfolio of drawings and examples of artworks by Loïs Mailou Jones’

students from Howard University. Recruited by JamesV. Herring, the art department’s first chairman

Jones joined the faculty of James A. Porter and James Lesesne Wells in 1930 to teach design.

This illustration is a very scarce work from her time as a college student, and is the earliest artwork

by Elizabeth Catlett to come to auction. Elizabeth Catlett was a student at Howard University from

1931-35, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Art, cum laude. Catlett likely drew this

illustration while studying graphic design under Loïs Mailou Jones alongside other budding artists

like Gwendolyn Knight. Melanie Herzog notes how Jones had encouraged Catlett to pursue her

degree in design but then Catlett changed to painting in her third year. Catlett also studied painting

and life drawing with James A. Porter and printmaking with James

Howard, Catlett

was also both socially and politically active - after joining the sorority Delta Sigma Theta. She later

participated in the university’s Liberal Club and the anti-war and anti-fascist National Student

League. Herzog pp. 17-18.

[5,000/7,000]