Frederick Douglass painted in broad brushstrokes shoulders up

Elizabeth Peyton

Frederick Douglass, 1850

€1,000

Artwork

Sold out

Love this work?

Subscribe to get notified about any cancellations and early access on next releases.

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

Go deeper

03:13

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.

Who else should know about this work?

Help us spread the word

Reviews from Avant collectors

beautiful print. top notch
Review of Digital Chemicals
It was beautifully packaged and was a joy to unbox. The piece itself is stunning, especially for the price.
Review of Descendent - Lucid Dreamer
I loved the purchasing experience, and the artwork I ended up with. I would definitely come back for future art purchases :)
Review of Actual Size
Very well presented and with cert.
Review of Actual Size
well done, excellent product and customer service
Review of La Nascita
Wonderful experience, can't wait for another purchase for my collection!
Review of Unveiling series #1, 1993
Excellent on every level - buying experience, communication, framing and packaging by (which was exceptional) and of course, the actual artwork - it is stunning in real life - really delighted.
Review of Guardian
The unboxing was wonderful! Great work! This was a total experience!
Review of Inner Love

Discover more print editions on Avant Arte

See all

Available

Guimi YouPoint Reyes€3,000

Available

Amanda BaldwinBell Bay€800

Draw

Giuseppe PenoneIl mio vedere futuro - My Future Vision I€2,200Closing in 00d 00h 00m

Draw

Ahmed MaterHurriya€4,000Closing on 28 July