Bonnie Greer ('Portrait d'une Negresse')
© Maud Sulter
Bonnie Greer ('Portrait d'une Negresse')
by Maud Sulter
large format Polaroid print, 2002
31 5/8 in. x 22 in. (804 mm x 560 mm) uneven
Purchased, 2002
Primary Collection
NPG P965
Sitterback to top
- Bonnie Greer (1948-), Broadcaster, playwright, critic and columnist. Sitter in 2 portraits.
Artistback to top
- Maud Sulter (1960-2008), Photographer, writer and poet. Artist or producer of 9 portraits.
This portraitback to top
Both Greer and Sulter have highlighted the role and identity of black subjects in historic and contemporary art history. This is one of a pair of portraits of Greer made by Sulter during the making of a BBC 4 television programme. The inspiration for the portrait was Marie-Guilhelmine Benoist's 1800 painting Portrait d'une Negresse in the Louvre.
Linked publicationsback to top
- 100 Photographs, 2018, p. 130 Read entry
Maud Sulter (1960-2008) was an artist of Ghanaian and Scottish heritage, who lived and worked in Britain. She photographed the American-born social commentator, writer and academic Bonnie Greer (b.1948) during the making of a BBC Four television programme that highlighted the role and identity of black subjects in historic and contemporary art history. The inspiration for this portrait was Marie-Guilhelmine Benoit’s painting Portrait d’une Negresse (1800), which Greer had seen by chance while browsing in a London bookshop. In Benoit’s painting, an anonymous black slave woman is dressed in lavish costume. In Sulter’s large-format Polaroid portrait, Greer styled herself as a contemporary reworking of the painting to make a statement on representations of black women in western art.
- Howgate, Sarah; Nairne, Sandy, A Guide to Contemporary Portraits, 2009, p. 12 Read entry
American-born broadcaster, playwright and critic, Bonnie Greer (b. 1948) came to London in 1986, rapidly establishing herself as a prominent figure in British culture. This is one of a pair of portraits of Greer, photographed by Maud Sulter during the making of a BBC4 television programme, Reflecting Skin. The inspiration for the work was Marie-Guilhelmine Benoist’s painting Portrait d’une Negresse (1800). Both Greer and Sulter have highlighted the role and identity of black subjects in historic and contemporary art history.
Subjects & Themesback to top
Events of 2002back to top
Current affairs
2002 was an eventful year for the Royal Family, highlighted by the Queen's Golden Jubilee celebrations, but marred by the death of Princess Margaret, followed just three months later by the death of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother at the age of 101 (making her the longest lived royal in British History).Art and science
The relationship between two of the greatest modern masters is celebrated in Tate Modern's blockbuster exhibition Matisse Picasso. By exhibiting their works side-by-side, the show revealed the relationship between the two artists from 1906-54.The 'Party at the Palace' concert in celebration of the Queen's Jubilee brings together stars from the last 50 years of Pop: Paul McCartney, Tom Jones, Brian Wilson, Queen, Ozzy Osbourne and Elton John.
International
Terrorist bombing attacks on the Island of Bali in Indonesia leave 202 people dead, including 25 Britons. The three attacks took place in a bar, outside a nightclub and outside the United States consulate, and were aimed at foreign tourists, although many locals were also killed or injured. The Islamist group Jemaah Islamiyah were found guilty of perpetrating the attacks.Comments back to top
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