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Yearning

Zora Neale Hurston (1891-1960): Author, anthropologist & Harlem Renaissance figure. Explore her art portraying Black life, folklore, and themes of identity & gender.

Giclée / Art Print

Museum-quality giclée or canvas print with fast production and flexible finish options. (Buy Hand Made Painting Buy Hand Made PaintingSwitch to Digital Image Switch to Digital Image)

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Total Price

$ 63

reproduction

Yearning

Giclée / Art Print

Reproduction Size

-

Total Price

$ 63

To Zora Petrović, female nudes represented the embodiment of vitality and emotionality, contrary to those artists who painted female nudes as only one of the motifs available to painters. As with some European modernists, the image of the human body enabled Zora to present the psychological states and depict the changes and transience of the physical human existence. She had been interested in this motif from her school days when she would sneak into the senior life drawing evening classes. The composition of her nudes was, as a rule, very simple, since a painting with a more complex organization would not permit the expressive artistic technique she used: fast painting and an energetic handwriting which resulted in the directness and spontaneity of the finished piece. This is how the Yearning was painted, one of Zora Petrović’s early nudes, but already with a discrete narrative structure especially accentuated by the use of visual means. It was painted quickly just like her other paintings in order for the nervous pulsation of her being to contribute to the agility and vitality of the painted figure. What is more, the tide of energetic, sliding brushstrokes, almost imprinted in the dark, brown tones which appear both on the figure and the space in which it is situated, permeated with their agility all the surfaces creating a special, but at the same time erotic and anxious atmosphere. The weight, density and abundance of paste and the artist’s gesture as an expression of the inner rhythms of existence represent a significant part of meaning in this painting. At the same time, these are the characteristics of Zora Petrović’s painting that she never questioned, from the early thirties to the end of her life.

Artist Biography

Zora Neale Hurston: Life & Legacy

Early Life and Education

  • Born on January 7, 1891, in Notasulga, Alabama, Zora Neale Hurston was a pivotal figure in American literature and anthropology.
  • Her family relocated to Eatonville, Florida, in 1894, a town that would profoundly influence her writing, becoming the setting for many of her stories.
  • Following her mother’s death in 1904, Hurston faced various challenges but continued her education, eventually attending Morgan Academy and later Howard University.
  • She pursued studies at Barnard College, where she was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, and Columbia University, conducting anthropological research.

Anthropological Work & Folklore

  • Hurston’s academic pursuits led her to become a prominent anthropologist, focusing on the folklore and traditions of African American communities in the South and the Caribbean.
  • She conducted extensive fieldwork, collecting oral histories, songs, and stories – particularly concerning Hoodoo practices and Caribbean Vodou.
  • Her research was groundbreaking for its time, offering an authentic portrayal of Black culture from an insider’s perspective.
  • Notable anthropological publications include “Mules and Men” (1935), a collection of African American folklore.

Literary Career & Major Works

  • Hurston's literary career blossomed alongside her anthropological work, producing novels, short stories, essays, and plays.
  • Her most celebrated novel, Their Eyes Were Watching God (1937), explores the journey of Janie Crawford as she seeks self-discovery and independence in the early 20th-century South.
  • Other significant works include “Jonah’s Gourd Vine” (1934) and “Moses, Man of the Mountain” (1939).
  • She also penned several collections of short stories and essays showcasing her unique voice and perspective.

Influences & Artistic Development

  • Hurston’s writing style was heavily influenced by the vernacular language and storytelling traditions she encountered during her anthropological research.
  • She embraced dialect and incorporated it authentically into her characters' dialogue, capturing the richness and complexity of Black Southern speech.
  • Her work challenged prevailing stereotypes and offered nuanced portrayals of African American life.
  • While not directly influenced by a specific artistic movement in terms of style, she was a key figure *within* the Harlem Renaissance, contributing to its vibrant cultural landscape.

Historical Significance & Legacy

  • Despite achieving recognition during her lifetime, Hurston faced financial hardship and her work fell into relative obscurity after her death in 1960.
  • Her rediscovery in the 1970s, largely due to the efforts of Alice Walker, who championed her work, cemented her place as a major American author.
  • Hurston’s writing continues to inspire writers and scholars today, offering valuable insights into race, gender, identity, and Southern culture.
  • Her contributions to anthropology remain significant, providing invaluable documentation of African American folklore and traditions.

Selected Works Available at ArtsDot

  • “5 Letters” – A collection offering a glimpse into her personal experiences.
  • “Portrait of Pavle Beljanski” - Showcasing her artistic side and friendship with fellow writer Pavle Beljanski.
  • “Yearning”
Zora Neale Hurston

Zora Neale Hurston

1891 - 1960 , United States of America

Quick Facts

  • Birth Date: January 7, 1891
  • Birth Place: Natosulga, Alabama, United States
  • Death Date: 1960
  • Influenced: Alice Walker
  • Movement: Harlem Renaissance
  • Name: Zora Neale Hurston
  • Nationality: American
  • Notable Works:
    • Their Eyes Were Watching God
    • 5 Letters
    • Portrait of Pavle Beljanski
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