Museum object · Visual Arts
Answer to Van Gogh
1987
Smithsonian NMAAHC collection
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 mixed media artwork titled “Answer to Van Gogh” by Bert Long, Jr. The large, rectangular work has metal mesh and hydrostone plaster applied to the top surface to form a wide frame for the canvas painting at the center. The frame is painted with a variety of bright, overlapping colors, some in an abstract form or in a pattern of vertical and horizontal lines (top of frame). Along the bottom frame are marker-like inscriptions including a smile, letters [Hhaaaaaa] and a red heart. On the left side of the frame is a wooden door on brass hinge with a brass knocker. The door opens to reveal a circular shape cut of out the frame with a piece of glass (or mirror) and a red and green light. The reverse of the door has been painted a bright red.
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Sources & collection details
Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture — original record ↗
Catalog metadata · CC0 · Source checked 2026-10-13
Catalog reference: 2024.15
