Painting

NamePainting

Artist Purvis Young (1943 - 2010)

CultureAfrican American

Dateca.1985-1991

Place madeMiami, Florida, United States, North America

MediumPaint, masonite board

Dimensions27 15/16 × 27 15/16 × 1/16 in. (71 × 71 × 0.2 cm)

Credit LineMuseum of International Folk Art, gift in recognition of Janet Fleisher, A.2020.17.14

Object numberA.2020.17.14

ProvenanceThis gift from the estate of Janet Fleisher consists of multiple works by two self-taught artists—The Philadelphia Wireman and Purvis Young--whom Janet Fleisher represented in her gallery in Philadelphia. Fleisher opened the Janet Fleisher Gallery near Rittenhouse Square in the mid-1960s and operated it for more than 30 years, until her retirement in 1996. She showed an eclectic variety of work, including work by self-taught or “outsider” artists, one of the earliest galleries to champion this genre of work. Janet Fleisher passed away in 2010.

DescriptionThis painting is comprised of Masonite board and paint. The background of the painting is a light green with strokes of grey and white blended heavily in some areas. At the center of the painting are three horse like figures in dark gray and pick paint. At the top center of the painting is the artist signature “YOUNG” in black dripping paint.