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Michael
Michael
@mdstamper.bsky.social
8 months ago
Bernice Lee Singer, known by her nickname "Burr," was a St. Louis-born artist who was known for her figurative paintings and Social Realist subject matter -- a type of art that focused on social issues and the reality of life among working classes. After studying art in St. Louis, Chicago, and New York, Singer moved to Taos, New Mexico for several years, and then to Los Angeles in the 1930s, where she joined the California Water Color Society. Singer, who was Euro-American, was perhaps best known for her realistic portrayals of African Americans during a time (the 1930s and '40s) when many other artists were portraying Black subjects as caricatures or stereotypes. She frequented the famous jazz clubs of South Central Los Angeles, where black and white audiences mingled, and captured evocative portraits of people she saw there, especially focusing on subjects she saw as having depth and character. In this oil painting, an unidentified young African American woman, framed by her halo-like red hat with wide brim covering her 1940s short perfectly-curled black hair, is taking a break from the jazzy, lively dance action behind her to touch up her lips with a color that matches her brilliant red blouse with a large elaborate white ruffled collar, using a small compact mirror she's removed from her classy evening bag on the small bar table in front of her alongside a partial view of a half-full glass of liquid refreshment. Singers uses lighting to shine our attention on the woman's face and make her a bright center of calm in the musical storm. We're certain she'll wade right back into the lively dancing once this brief retouch of lipstick is done, but love that Singer gives us a glimpse of this beautiful moment while the young woman pauses ... for just a little touch-up.

Bernice Lee Singer, known by her nickname "Burr," was a St. Louis-born artist who was known for her figurative paintings and Social Realist subject matter -- a type of art that focused on social issues and the reality of life among working classes. After studying art in St. Louis, Chicago, and New York, Singer moved to Taos, New Mexico for several years, and then to Los Angeles in the 1930s, where she joined the California Water Color Society. Singer, who was Euro-American, was perhaps best known for her realistic portrayals of African Americans during a time (the 1930s and '40s) when many other artists were portraying Black subjects as caricatures or stereotypes. She frequented the famous jazz clubs of South Central Los Angeles, where black and white audiences mingled, and captured evocative portraits of people she saw there, especially focusing on subjects she saw as having depth and character. In this oil painting, an unidentified young African American woman, framed by her halo-like red hat with wide brim covering her 1940s short perfectly-curled black hair, is taking a break from the jazzy, lively dance action behind her to touch up her lips with a color that matches her brilliant red blouse with a large elaborate white ruffled collar, using a small compact mirror she's removed from her classy evening bag on the small bar table in front of her alongside a partial view of a half-full glass of liquid refreshment. Singers uses lighting to shine our attention on the woman's face and make her a bright center of calm in the musical storm. We're certain she'll wade right back into the lively dancing once this brief retouch of lipstick is done, but love that Singer gives us a glimpse of this beautiful moment while the young woman pauses ... for just a little touch-up.

"Touch-Up" by Burr Singer (American) - Oil on board / 1943 - Hilbert Museum of California Art (Orange, California) #WomenInArt #art #WomanArtist #WomenArtists #WomensArt #BurrSinger #BerniceLeeSinger #HilbertMuseumofCaliforniaArt #HilbertMuseum #artwork #FemaleArtist #JazzClub #1940s #AmericanArt

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