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The Baby Jesus, Oh See Him
Camille Billops (American, 1933 – 2019)
1973
Object Place: New York, New York
Medium/Technique
Earthenware, slip-decorated, painted, and glazed; mixed media
Dimensions
Height x width x depth: 32.7 × 28.9 × 21.6 cm (12 7/8 × 11 3/8 × 8 1/2 in.)
Credit Line
The John Axelrod Collection—Frank B. Bemis Fund, Charles H. Bayley Fund, and The Heritage Fund for a Diverse Collection
Accession Number2011.1805
CollectionsContemporary Art, Americas
ClassificationsCeramics – Pottery – Earthenware
DescriptionSlab-built cradle form with nude African-American male figure painted on the interior, with his head on the headboard of the cradle. His hands are painted resting on the sides of the cradle, and bound with pink ribbon. A small wooden stick with small dangling stones or pieces of clay, suspended by fine wire from the stick, extends across the cradle and is attached near the man's hands. The exterior of the cradle is decorated with images of women and various inscriptions. Sides pierced to spell the words "The Baby Jesus" on one side, and "Oh See Him" on the other.
Signed
"C. Billops / 11/73 / N.Y.C." signed in paint on underside.
Provenance1996, sold by the artist to John Axelrod, Boston; 2011, sold by Axelrod to the MFA. (Accession date: June 22, 2011)
CopyrightReproduced with permission.