Additional Images

Provenance:

Collection of Jerry Greben and his gallery Graphis Gallery, Toronto;
The Estate of Jerry Greben, Toronto

Note:

At the turn of the 20th century, Storyville was the official red-light district of New Orleans, and among the most famous in the United States. The district was created in 1897 when, in response to public outcry, prostitution, saloons and other unsavoury businesses were confined to a prescribed area—effectively making prostitution legal in New Orleans from 1897 to 1917.

Bearden had not visited Storyville nor New Orleans when this work was made, though scholars suggest that he may instead have been inspired by E. J. Bellocq’s photographs, “Storyville Portraits,” which Bearden may have seen at the Museum of Modern Art in 1970. The theme aligned with Bearden’s interests in portraits of women, whom he depicted in a variety of roles—from heavenly to earthy—as well as his interest in Black history and culture.

This monotype was produced by loosely brushing the solvent benzene on top of a painted plastic board, lightly stripping off the paint it came into contact with, which produces the hazy, veiled effect seen here. Using a press, the composition was then transferred onto paper, creating a single print.

To learn more about Bearden and his work, please visit our blog.