Object Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
1987.1.12 |
Collection |
American Art |
Object Name |
Sculpture |
Title |
Contraband Dancing Negro #2 |
Artist |
Agnes Yarnall |
Date |
1961 |
Year Range from |
1961 |
Signed Name |
Yarnall |
Signature Location |
on plinth |
Description |
Figure of a dancing African American man dressed in a waistcoat with tails and shown with bare feet. |
Medium |
bronze |
Dimensions |
H-15 W-5.5 L-7 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. 27: "Broadcloth coat is dancin' Out by Massa's grave— Freedom's left her fingerprint On the dazzled slave! Watch his hands fly upward Near his woolly crown, Massa's clothes a-wavin' Dancin' up and down! Face is split with laughter, Eyes are rollin' wild, Know him for a savage— Know him for God's child— Joyful in thy laughter, Go dancing whilst thou may— For thou has got before thee, A long and troubled way— But when the ending cometh, And pearly gates swing wide— 'Tis thou shalt lead the others To the Lord God inside!" 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.27 & 28 |
Legal Status |
Owned by the Union League of Philadelphia |
Search Terms |
"An Attempted Evocation of the Civil War" by Agnes Yarnall |