Frederick Douglass painted in broad brushstrokes shoulders up

Elizabeth Peyton

Frederick Douglass, 1850

€1,000

Artwork

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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

this was an amazing experience with an amazing work as the result - thank you so much for all the assistance and for such a lovely purchase experience!!!
Review of Actual Size
It looks great and is one of our favorite pieces to add to our collection. We think the printing looks fantastic!
Review of Scaffold
From start to finish, the process of purchasing, claiming the NFT counterpart, and receiving the framed piece was nothing short of excellent. My entire experience with Avant Arte displayed a level of professionalism and excellence across the board. Well done!
Review of Ringers #962: The LACMA Iterations
Great experience to buy from you. Felt like I was someone you valued as a customer. Great quality on artwork and packaging
Review of HOPE (126-250)
outstanding paper quality and excellent packaging. love it.
Review of Actual Size
Notifications and packaging were spot on. I will definitely make future purchases.
Review of Iris
Every detail about this work is brilliant, especially the work itself. Thank you for bringing an incredible talent pool of artists to the public.
Review of Scaffold
beautiful! thank you
Review of Sierra

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