Activity #7

Exhibition Catalogue Introduction: African American Firsts

The theme of this exhibition is History & Stories and is titled African American Firsts. Within this exhibition you will encounter six, oil on canvas portraits by Betsy Graves Reyneau. The portraits are a portion of a larger collection that was gifted to the National Portrait Gallery from the Harmon Foundation Collection. As African Americans contributions to society should be acknowledged publicly, this exhibition serves to reinforce the pride African Americans should have in themselves by bring to the forefront the faces of those men and women who first achieved feats undreamed of in an era of which the sole purpose was to defeat instead of uplift a people.


The first portrait of Thurgood Marshall (the first African American Supreme Court Justice) shows the justice standing in a most distinguished vertical manner. The deep blue of his suit is softened with streaks of browns and reds to add dimension while the red and blue complementary colors of his tie are brought forward by the white shirt. In addition the tint on the door gradually changes to create a diagonal stream of light that comes from the upper right side and crosses the design.

The second portrait of Charles Drew (the first African American surgical resident at Presbyterian Hospital in New York City) depicts Dr. Drew in a laboratory setting. The lines used to outline the main figure draw the eyes to the shadows created on the walls by values of black and white. In addition the visual texture of the walls and its ability to capture the sterile environment is created by the use varying shades yellows and blues.

The third portrait of Ralphe Bunche (the first African American in a desk-level State Department position) has the main figure standing, holding the back of a blue chair. The bottom of the map forms a horizontal line across the lower portion picture plane and also serves as the figures’ backdrop. Cool blues dominate this work.

The fourth portrait of Captain Hugh Mulzac (the first African American merchant marine naval officer to command an integrated crew during WWII) makes use of the multiple diagonal lines of the rooftops and the ships towards his back that emphasizes the movement at this mariner. The Captain is shown in full uniform however due to his overcoat –the primary colors of blue and yellow in his hat serve as a focal point to his much more obscure and duller surroundings.

The fifth portrait of Asa P. Randolph (the founder of the first African American Union granted a charter by American Federation of Labor) is pictured standing vertically in front of a series of four diagonal lines that have a reoccurring pattern of horizontal lines between a pair. The lines form a seamlessly endless railway track across a cool blue palate and into the horizon. The browns of the main figures suit, the desk (on which his hands are placed) and his skin color all seem to be various shades of one another.

The sixth and final portrait of Jane Bolin (the first African American women in the US to be appointed judgeship) is composed of the primary colors of red and blue. The intense red of the figure’s dress serves as a focal point against the dark blue of the background. The contour lines that serve to emphasize her hair also give way to a light source that although not pictured, forms on her forehead and reoccurs on her brown hands as they are clasped together.


I hope that this exhibition will assist in conveying the importance of education, perseverance, and faith - because in trying times the strength of the mind can not only provide solace but greatness – as reflected in the portraits of just a few great African American Firsts.