Elizabeth Catlett (American, 1915-2012). <em>I Have Special Reservations</em>, 1946. Linocut on cream wove paper, Sheet: 15 1/8 x 11 3/8 in. (38.4 x 28.9 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Emily Winthrop Miles Fund, 1996.47.2. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 1996.47.2_PS2.jpg)

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Elizabeth Catlett (American, 1915-2012). I Have Special Reservations, 1946. Linocut on cream wove paper, Sheet: 15 1/8 x 11 3/8 in. (38.4 x 28.9 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Emily Winthrop Miles Fund, 1996.47.2. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 1996.47.2_PS2.jpg)

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Tell me more about Elizabeth Catlett and her connection to the subject of this print.

Catlett was the daughter of former slaves. After studying art in the United States, she moved to Mexico and spent the rest of her career there. She worked into her 90s! She was concerned above all with the social dimension of her art.

This print alludes to the segregation experienced by African Americans in the United States in the mid-20th century; this woman is riding a bus with separate seating for white and black passengers.

I think the sharp and jagged lines of her printmaking also express the tension of her subject.

I Have Special Reservations

Elizabeth Catlett

Contemporary Art

PORTFOLIO/SERIES "The Negro Woman" series of 15 linoleum cuts, 1946-47 [renamed "The Black Woman Series" in 1971], #4

ARTIST Elizabeth Catlett, American, 1915-2012

MEDIUM Linocut on cream wove paper

DATES 1946

DIMENSIONS Sheet: 15 1/8 x 11 3/8 in. (38.4 x 28.9 cm) Image: 6 3/8 x 6 5/16 in. (16.2 x 16 cm) (show scale)

SIGNATURE Signed in graphite below image at lower right: "E Catlett '46"

INSCRIPTIONS Inscribed in graphite below image at lower left: "19/20 I have special reservations ..."; and at bottom of sheet at lower left: "12."

COLLECTIONS Contemporary Art

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view

EXHIBITIONS

ACCESSION NUMBER 1996.47.2

EDITION Edition: 19/20

CREDIT LINE Emily Winthrop Miles Fund

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CAPTION Elizabeth Catlett (American, 1915-2012). I Have Special Reservations, 1946. Linocut on cream wove paper, Sheet: 15 1/8 x 11 3/8 in. (38.4 x 28.9 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Emily Winthrop Miles Fund, 1996.47.2. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 1996.47.2_PS2.jpg)

IMAGE overall, 1996.47.2_PS2.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2010

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Download our app and ask your own questions during your visit. Here are some that others have asked.

Tell me more about Elizabeth Catlett and her connection to the subject of this print.

This print alludes to the segregation experienced by African Americans in the United States in the mid-20th century; this woman is riding a bus with separate seating for white and black passengers.

I think the sharp and jagged lines of her printmaking also express the tension of her subject.