“In the exhibit Art in Louisiana: Portraiture in Louisiana & Beyond, portraits of affluent individuals from times long gone hang intermingled with art born from modernity and its effects. In this exhibit is a striking painting simply titled Sarah, created in 1998 by the world renowned Black American artist Frederick J. Brown. The subject of Sarah stares directly at the viewer as she flashes her teeth; some may see her expression as a grin, while others may see as her in mid-conversation. Or, there may be viewers who see her in mid-song, as Sarah is actually the famous jazz trailblazer Sarah Vaughn. Brown was an artist plugged into the New York music scene during the New York Art Renaissance of the 1970s and ‘80s. As a result, he painted over 300 portraits of jazz musicians in his decades-long career. It is easy to spot the influence jazz and blues music had on his preferred art style since he incorporates some elements of jazz into his work. For example, Brown renders Vaughn with painterly strokes. Each explicit stoke evokes a sense of movement, or swing, that injects the portrait with excitement. In addition, his use of bold colors embodies the bold and undiluted emotions that are the main force behind jazz and blues music. Brown’s other portraits follow in similar form—each one with their own unique color story that strips the sitter to their very nature. Brown should be remembered as an artist who celebrated and immortalized the changemakers, celebrities, and locals alike.”

—Alaina Newell
LSU MOA Collection Intern Spring 2021
LSU 2021, Art History Art History with minors in Psychology and Religious Studies

The museum loves hearing student perspectives on current artworks on view in the galleries! Not only did Alaina Newell (pictured left) assist in our collections department, but she also catalogued and added over 200 books to our art library. LSU MOA is grateful for her hard work this semester! Over 100 books were generously donated by Natalie Fielding and the LSU MOA’s library was given by The Robinson Family Fund in Memory of Enrica Nicoli Muller.

Listen to Alaina read this closer look below!