Charles Wilbert White (American, 1918-1979) Patriarch, Portrait of John Brown, 1

Lot description

Charles Wilbert White (American, 1918-1979) Patriarch, Portrait of John Brown, 1959 Sepia, charcoal, ink wash, and pastel on paper laid on paperboard 33 x 19-1/2 inches (83.8 x 49.5 cm) (image) Signed and dated lower right: Charles White, '59 Property of an Important Midwestern Collector PROVENANCE: The artist; Clarence B. Jones, legal advisor to Martin Luther King, Jr., gift from the above; The Heritage Gallery, Los Angeles; Dr. Edward J. Littlejohn, a trailblazing African American lawyer and legal educator; Richard and Jane Manoogian Foundation; Christie's, New York, 2000; Sotheby's, New York, August 17, 2017; Acquired by the present owner from the above. Charles White's Patriarch, Portrait of John Brown is significant not only for its artistic merit, but for its historical and cultural importance. The work depicts abolitionist John Brown, who played a crucial role in the anti-slavery movement in the United States during the mid-19th century. Brown led an armed insurrection in 1859, attempting to seize the federal armory at Harpers Ferry, Virginia, with the goal of sparking a slave revolt. The raid failed, and Brown was captured and later executed, becoming a martyr for the abolitionist cause. Several important artists have painted John Brown, including Jacob Lawrence, Thomas Hovenden, and John Steuart Curry. Lawrence's "The Legend of John Brown" depicts the life and legacy of the abolitionist in a series of dynamic and colorful images. Hovenden's The Last Moments of John Brown shows Brown on the day of his execution, surrounded by prison guards and facing imminent death. Curry portrays Brown as a heroic figure, leading a group of men into battle against slavery. These artists, like White, were drawn to the story of John Brown as a struggle for freedom and justice. Each artist brought their unique perspective to the subject, highlighting different aspects of Brown's life and legacy. White's portrayal, painted exactly 100 years after John Brown's martyrdom, captures the spirit and determination of Brown, who is depicted with a strong and defiant gaze, long hair and beard flowing around him as if he is an apostle. White worked primarily in black and white or sepia and white, palettes the artist found best suited to his incredibly skilled draftsmanship and artistic sensitivity, and this work is no exception—the result is a striking portrayal of John Brown in monochromatic tones, with Brown's dark skin and angular features heightened by the expressive circular strokes surrounding the subject's head, creating a halo effect in the background. The rarity and importance of Patriarch, Portrait of John Brown lies not only in its subject matter and artistic excellence, but also in White's personal connection to the civil rights movement. White was a prominent African American artist who dedicated his work to promoting social justice and equality for Black Americans. His portrayal of John Brown serves as a testament to his own political beliefs and his commitment to representing the struggles of his community. Patriarch, Portrait of John Brown was given by the artist to Clarence Benjamin Jones—lawyer, personal counsel, advisor, draft speech writer and close friend of Martin Luther King Jr. It then went to The Heritage Gallery in Los Angeles, the first gallery to represent Charles White. The work was subsequently owned by Dr. Edward J. Littlejohn, a trailblazing lawyer and legal educator. In addition to its compelling provenance, the rarity of this work is worth mentioning: John Brown is one of only two white men that Charles White discusses ever painting, the other being Abraham Lincoln. Rarity, provenance, artistic quality, and social importance combine to elevate Patriarch, Portrait of John Brown to the highest level