Artwork Page for Bertha

Details / Information for Bertha

Bertha

c. 1938

Charles L. Sallée

(American, 1911–2006)
publisher

Works Progress Administration / Federal Art Project

Culture
America
Medium
etching and aquatint
Measurements
Plate: 23.8 x 17.6 cm (9 3/8 x 6 15/16 in.); Sheet: 28.7 x 22.2 cm (11 5/16 x 8 3/4 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of John Puskas 1994.273
Catalogue raisonné
Salsbury, Benay, and Kruse 63
Edition
25 to 50
Copyright
© The Estate of Charles L. Sallée
This artwork is known to be under copyright.
Location
Not on view
Print
?

Did You Know?

Charles Sallée and his fellow artist Fred Carlo both praised Bertha’s ability as a model to find natural yet dynamic poses.

Description

Although members of Karamu Artists Inc. worked closely together, each had distinctive styles and favored different subject matter. Charles Sallée was known for portraits, inspired by his years spent teaching portraiture at Karamu through a scholarship from the Gilpin Players, the institution’s internationally renowned theater troupe. Bertha, seen here, was a dancer and regular model at Karamu and was also portrayed by Fred Carlo. This print uses Sallée’s preferred format, closely cropping the image around his subject’s head and focusing intently on their expression. Taken together, such portraits document the individuals who frequented the studio art program during his time.
Vertically oriented print in black ink cropped closely around the face of a person with light skin tone, looking to our left. They have straight, long, dark hair falling down their back, defined eyebrows, and relax their face with a faint smile turning up the corners of their lips. They wear a round-necked shirt with a light collar folded out from under. Fine, cross-hatch lines shade the portrait, especially on the left side of their face.

Bertha

c. 1938

Charles L. Sallée, Works Progress Administration / Federal Art Project

(American, 1911–2006)
America

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