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Museum object · Visual Arts

Portrait drawing of Etta Moten Barnett

Aug 2, 1942

Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, United States, North and Central America

COLLECTION RECORDImage not availableExplore the catalog description and source record.
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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.

This is a black and white portrait drawing of Etta Moten Barnett. It depicts her from the neck up. Her neck and the top of her shoulders are roughly sketched in, while her face and hair are rendered in detail. She is shown in a quarter profile turning towards the viewer. Her chin is raised, and her gaze is directed towards the viewer. Her hair is loose down to her shoulders, and she wears large hoop earrings. There is a date stamp [AUG 2 1942], and an inscription to Barnett "from Marcus" on the verso. Adhered to the back of the drawing is a clipping from a newspaper with text that reads "Etta Moten now is singing the role of Bess in the revival of Gershwin's folk opera, 'Porgy and Bess'."

Sources & collection details

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture — original record ↗

Source collection ↗

Catalog metadata · CC0 · Source checked 2026-10-13

Catalog reference: A2022.13.1.80

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