Modern

Selma Hortense Burke

Born 1900 Died 1995

A Legacy Forged in Clay: The Life and Art of Selma Hortense Burke Selma Hortense Burke, a name synonymous with grace, resilience, and the vibrant spirit of the Harlem Renaissance, stands as a pivotal figure in American sculpture. Born on December 31, 1900, in Mooresville, North Carolina, her journey was one of unwavering dedication to artistic expression, navigating societal barriers and leaving an indelible mark on the cultural landscape. From humble beginnings steeped in familial encouragement – her maternal grandmother nurtured her early artistic inclinations while her father, a minister…

works mapped

subjects

1995

active until

An Interactive Constellation

The Subject Atlas

A chart of Selma Hortense Burke's corpus mapped not by date but by subject. Spokes are what they painted; rings are when; and the threads between stars reveal the patrons and places that secretly connect them.

Focus a Subject

Trace a Context

Spokes — Subject

Each arm of the atlas gathers works by what they depict: portraits, sacred scenes, mythologies, and the scientific studies. Click a spoke to swing that cluster to the top.

Rings — Career Period

Distance from the center marks time. The innermost ring is the earliest period; the outermost, the final years. Style matures as you move outward.

Threads — Shared Context

Coloured lines link works bound by the same patron, commission, or theme. Trace a context to watch related clusters light up across subjects.

Selma Hortense Burke

1900 - 1995

The Subject Atlas

Spokes — Subject

Rings — Career Period

Threads — Shared Context

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