Robert Colescott (American, 1925–2009). <em>Havana Corona</em>, 1970. Acrylic on canvas, 78 1/2 × 59 in. (199.4 × 149.9 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Brooke and Carolyn Alexander, 1991.270. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 1991.270_SL1.jpg)

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Robert Colescott (American, 1925–2009). Havana Corona, 1970. Acrylic on canvas, 78 1/2 × 59 in. (199.4 × 149.9 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Brooke and Carolyn Alexander, 1991.270. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 1991.270_SL1.jpg)

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Sure! The artist Robert Colescott was thinking about the triumph of the Cuban people over the imperialism and dominance of the United States. "Corona" is a pun: it means "crown" (like the victory wreath of pink flowers) but it is also a famous cigar from Havana that was prized by Anglo-Americans. (Do you see the hand holding a cigar, at the left?) Colescott himself was African-American and his art often took a satirical look at racial identity and social issues.

Havana Corona

Robert Colescott

Contemporary Art

On View:

In the late sixties I was thinking about the triumph of the Cuban people over imperialism and U.S. dominance—the effort is here "crowned" (Corona). But Corona is also a famous cigar from Havana that is desired (and now missed) by affluent Yankees—so struggle, victory, and contradictions are part of the idea. I was working my way out of a more lyrical and abstract view of figuration at the time toward a more socially-politically oriented idiom, hoping to find a way to maintain a formally strong image. . . . This painting is in transition. . . . The form is evolving toward artistic and social relevancy. The painting has particular interest to me since it straddles these objectives and balances precariously, one foot in each world.

-Robert Colescott (1992)

ARTIST Robert Colescott, American, 1925–2009

MEDIUM Acrylic on canvas

DATES 1970

DIMENSIONS 78 1/2 × 59 in. (199.4 × 149.9 cm) frame: 79 × 59 3/4 × 2 1/2 in. (200.7 × 151.8 × 6.4 cm) (show scale)

SIGNATURE Signed upper left: "R Colescott"

COLLECTIONS Contemporary Art

ACCESSION NUMBER 1991.270

CREDIT LINE Gift of Brooke and Carolyn Alexander

EXHIBITIONS

American Identities: A New Look

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view

CAPTION Robert Colescott (American, 1925–2009). Havana Corona, 1970. Acrylic on canvas, 78 1/2 × 59 in. (199.4 × 149.9 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Brooke and Carolyn Alexander, 1991.270. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 1991.270_SL1.jpg)

IMAGE overall, 1991.270_SL1.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph

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