N.C. Brainard Acquisition Fund and Seymour Museum Fund Income, 1973.25.73, Connecticut Museum o…

Images(2)

Picaninny

PainterPainted by Louis Grosvernor Frink American, 1869 - 1956

Date1947

MediumDrawing; pencil, watercolor, and gouache on brown paper on cardboard

DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (image height x width): 15 3/4 x 20in. (40 x 50.8cm)
Sheet (height x width): 15 3/4 x 20in. (40 x 50.8cm)
Mount (height x width): 15 3/4 x 20in. (40 x 50.8cm)

ClassificationsGraphics

Credit LineN.C. Brainard Acquisition Fund and Seymour Museum Fund Income

DescriptionDepiction of a black child wearing tan overall with buttons across and white shoes holding a slice of watermelon. The child is seated on one of the two stairs from a wooden structure. Green grass is on the foreground.

Object number1973.25.73

MarkingsOn verso, stamped in black ink, "American Primitives / by Lou Frink / Windham, Conn. No. 73"InscribedOn verso, throughout, in pencil ""Pickaninny" / 1947.26.17 / Frink / 22 / 5 ''w/cm", accession number

[pencil written notes are NOT Lou's]Notes"Pickaninny" is a racial slur and a pejorative term for black and aboriginal children. In 20th century American art, the "pickaninny" is a derogatory caricature of a dark-skinned African-American child, often depicted with unkempt hair, bulging eyes, and large red lips.

Subject Terms