Humanscape 70 (Comic Whitewash)
Humanscape 70 (Comic Whitewash)
Artist
Melesio Casas
(American, 1929 - 2014)
Date1973
MediumAcrylic on canvas
DimensionsFramed: 72 3/4 × 97 × 2 1/4 in.
ClassificationsPainting
Credit LineCrystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville, Arkansas, 2022.32
Accession number
2022.32
On View
Not on viewLabel TextSix male superheroes perform daring feats in front of a starry black background. Mel Casas punctuates the scene with streaks of white paint and the declaration “comic whitewash.” This underscores an obvious truth: historically, most superheroes are white, and people of color rarely see themselves represented among the pantheon of heroes. Putting a face to this exclusion, a young Latino boy looks away from the scene despondently.
Seis superhéroes varones realizan arriesgadas hazañas frente a un fondo negro estrellado. Mel Casas marca esta escena con líneas de pintura blanca y la declaración “cómic blanqueado,” lo que pone de relieve una verdad evidente: históricamente, la mayoría de los superhéroes son blancos y las personas de color raras veces se ven representadas entre el panteón de héroes. Un joven latino mira desanimado la escena, dándole así un rostro a esta exclusión.
Inscribedverso, u.l., on frame, black marker: Humanscape 70
verso, u.l., on frame, black and red marker: Acrylic/c. [circled c] C '73 72" x 91"
verso, l.r., on frame, black marker: XX/2
Markingsverso, u.c., on frame, black stamp: 96 / CRAFT CUT / BOX 457, SANTA FE, MM
verso, c.r., on frame, black stamp: 72 / CRAFT CUT / BOX 457, SANTA FE, MM
verso, l.c., on frame, black stamp: 96 / CRAFT CUT / BOX 457, SANTA FE, MM
verso, u.l., on frame, sticker on hangtag: MC_ / 42 / Mel Casas / Humanscape 70, October 1973 / MC2021.06.42
verso, u.r., on frame, sticker on hangtag: MC_ / 42 / Mel Casas / Humanscape 70, October 1973 / MC2021.06.42
