Untitled (Lynching of a Woman)

Source catalog description

This description refers to material held by Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Visual details below describe the original material.

A pen and ink drawing depicting a scene of abstracted male figures lynching a nude female figure. The female figure is depicted in the center, hanging by the neck from a noose, her hands behind her back in a way that suggests they are bound. Surrounding her is a mob of male figures, most of them in long robes with pointed hoods that obscure their faces others are nude except for Western-style hats with center badges of the type worn by sheriffs or other law enforcement. Their facial features are abstracted, with bared teeth and leering expressions. All of the male figures wear Western-style heeled boots and are turned towards the lynched woman. One hooded and robed figure raises a Christian cross over their heads. At the lower left corner is the artist's signature [Mildred Thompson Nov 1963 New York]. There are no marks or inscriptions on the verso.

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