Romare Bearden (American, 1911-1988)Constellation of the ArcherSigned top left, oil and collage on masonite laid on panel.Executed in 1972.35 1/8 x 40 in. (89.2 x 101.6cm)PROVENANCE:Cordier & Ekstrom Inc., New York, New York.Private Collection, New York."Contemporary Art," Christie's, New York, October 5, 1990, lot 63.Private Collection (acquired directly from the above sale)."American Art," Sotheby's, New York, May 17, 2012, lot 34.Private Collection, Pennsylvania (acquired directly from the above sale).NOTE:Romare Bearden's art had reached a mature style in the 1970s, as he continued exploring the context of the African-American experience through his collage-based works. He was particularly interested in classical themes at this time, incorporating imagery related to Homeric legends, while revisiting childhood influences of jazz and blues music. The 1970s also saw the artist experimenting with single color compositions, rather than the bright multi-colored collages of previous years, and Constellation of the Archer demonstrates this reduction in his color palette and use of larger cut-out elements and shapes. The Archer is also known as Sagittarius, the centaur, or Chiron in Greek mythology, who symbolizes music and medicine and is generally thought to be gentle and kind. In Bearden's collage, a central Black archer figure is surrounded by animals, birds and a robed figure watching over him while he engages the viewer, the rich texture of his surroundings bringing the scene to life.