Frederick Douglass painted in broad brushstrokes shoulders up

Elizabeth Peyton

Frederick Douglass, 1850

€1,000

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With an edition of silkscreen prints, Elizabeth Peyton makes an emotive tribute to a seminal figure in the history of America.

In Frederick Douglass, 1850 (2020), Peyton renders the titular American abolitionist, orator and writer from the neck up. The intimate and closely-cropped scale emphasises the minimalism and physicality of her brushwork, and heightens the emotional intensity of her subject's expression. She builds up the contours of Douglass’s face from short, watery dabs of oil paint – lending the composition a sense of spirited lightness.

Peyton’s artwork has been meticulously translated into a 32-layer, limited edition silkscreen in close collaboration artisan printmakers at Make-Ready in London – one of a pair of editions launched in support of the National Portrait Gallery in London. Re-opening in June 2023, the Gallery's diversified collection focuses on presenting an inclusive and dynamic picture of the people who have contributed to the rich history of the United Kingdom.

Frederick Douglass, 1850, 2023, silkscreen print © Elizabeth Peyton

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Behind the scenes

a black and white photograph of artist Elizabeth Peyton wearing a black jacket

Elizabeth Peyton 3 collaborationsElizabeth Peyton creates gestural, atmospheric paintings and works on paper that attest to the psychical and emotional depths of the people she paints. Her artworks map out delicate negotiations between beauty, desire, and the pictorial image. Peyton finds feeling in all that she depicts. Whether it's people from her own milieu or figures from history, literature, music or film, she always renders each scene with the intensity of her own particular humanism – a close and loving look at humanity. In each figure's uniqueness, she reveals the universal emotions that connect us to each other and to art, and which stretch from our present moment back through time.

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Reviews from Avant collectors

very happy with everything, the piece is better than I expected. Taking it to the framer next week :) thanks!
Review of Centrifuge
Excellent service, together with an exceptional work of art!
Review of Descendent - Lucid Dreamer
The monent I opened the box I was pose struck. I’m headspinning beyond happy with this piece of artwork! This piece pops like bubble gum and a great addition to my other pieces by the artist. Great communication and packaging from AA!
Review of B BOY JUSHI
Great service overall, makes an easy process for buying and shipping art which is typically difficult and expensive.
Review of Guardian
love my piece and thank you for the communication and guidance regarding shipping documents
Review of Sandman
Love the piece I got and the communication about its timing was excellent.
Review of Interior: Red Couch and Landscape
The artwork is amazing, the quality of the printing is sublime, I am totally amazed, Thank you
Review of Guardian
I was lucky enough to have been invited to see the creation of this piece of work back in June and met the fantastic Miwa so seeing this print now is just fantastic. The colours are every bit as vibrant as the original.
Review of Sacred Connectedness

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