Object Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
1987.1.11 |
Collection |
American Art |
Object Name |
Sculpture |
Title |
Contraband Dancing Negro #1 |
Artist |
Agnes Yarnall |
Date |
1961 |
Year Range from |
1961 |
Signed Name |
Yarnall |
Signature Location |
on plinth |
Description |
Figure of a dancing African American woman wearing a triple tiered dress with puffed sleeves. |
Medium |
bronze |
Dimensions |
H-15 W-8.25 L-9 inches |
Notes |
Agnes Yarnall (b. 1904) sculpted a group of 42, Civil War related sculptures, including a bronze head of Abraham Lincoln (2004.60.1). The book, "An Attempted Evocation of the Civil War," was written by Agnes Yarnall in 1980 with photographs of her sculptures and accompanying poems. In the curatorial file is a transcribed oral history of the artist from 1988. Poem accompanying photograph of sculpture in Agnes Yarnall's "An Attempted Evocation of the Civil War," (1980), p. 25: "Dance in thy joy, For thou art free, This thy first taste Of liberty! Bandana flying Skirt awave, A rise of heart That is not slave— Thy bare feet Hardly touch the ground— So light, They do not make a sound! Thy gentle face, Thy curving smile, Would surely Anyone beguile! Only the eyes Betray the pain— Dark depths where sorrow Sweeps like rain— O Lord, in Thy Appointed plan, Bring mercy To the heart of man— That she show dances now May find Somewhere, sometime, A peace of mind That never can Be put aside— But always In Thy love abide!" Dance of the Contraband Slaves, p. 29: "See them both together, Contraband! Leading each the other, Like a willow wand Bending to the music, Banjo strummin' fast, Black man and woman Free at last! Jubilee, jubilo, All God's children say— O How far the cotton fields On this glory day! Take us Lord, take us Lord, Hearts and souls we bring! Dancin' into Kingdom Come, Hear our praises ring!" |
Provenance |
Acquired by the Union League in 1987. |
Related Publications |
"An Attempted Evocation of the Civil War" by Agnes Yarnall, 1980, p.24 & 28 |
Legal Status |
Owned by the Union League of Philadelphia |
Search Terms |
"An Attempted Evocation of the Civil War" by Agnes Yarnall |