Unit 3 Work in Progress

Luncheon in the Studio by Edouard Manet

This painting by Edouard Manet is significant for two primary reasons. First, the impressionist works of Manet inspired Thomas. You can see shared painterly qualities in both artists’ works. Secondly, the placement of people in this picture and Thomas’ Three Graces are quite similar. Both place the focus on a central character, who is flanked on both sides by people who are turned towards the focus.

Din, une très belle négresse by Mickalene Thomas

This painting is significant because it helps us see the common characteristics of Thomas’ works. In both this painting by Thomas, and Three Graces, the focal point is an African American woman in 1970’s attire. The background in both portraits is filled with vivid color, and simple patterns.

Dreams by Jacob Lawrence

This painting by Harlem artist Jacob Lawrence shows how the Harlem Renaissance influenced Thomas’ works. The themes of Thomas’ works are distinctly different from that of the Harlem Renaissance. While Harlem artists generally focused on themes of black oppression, Thomas’ is more concerned with women’s beauty. Thomas’ still borrows some of the styling of Harlem works, however. Like Harlem artists, the backgrounds of Thomas’ works are often abstract, or lack detail, and are filled with vivid colors.

Portrait of Madame Matisse by Henri Matisse

This painting is significant because of the style of portraiture it showcases. Thomas’ writes that Matisse was one of her primary inspirations while she painted. Like Matisse, Thomas’ did not concern herself with the finer details of portraiture. Instead, she used pure colors and painterly brush strokes to capture some impression she had of her subjects. While Thomas’ works are not nearly as painterly as Matisse’s Fauvist works, you can see the same disregard for detail in her portraits.

Pam Grier from boxingkangaroostudios.com

This modern work found online is significant because it embodies Thomas’ subjects’ style. Many of the figures Thomas paints look like the characters of a Blaxploitation film. Her subjects adhere to the same style and stereotypical appearance as the characters Pam Grier (depicted left) would play on film.