Kara Walker: Harper's Pictorial History of the Civil War (Annotated)
Comprised of 15 large-scale prints, Kara Walker: Harper’s Pictorial History of the Civil War (Annotated) revisits the historical representations found in the two-volume anthology published in 1866, "Harper’s Pictorial History of the Civil War." Walker overlays enlargements of woodcut plates with her black silkscreen cutout figures in solid black silhouette. In doing so, Walker brings to light experiences of racism that were often omitted or merely hinted at in traditional historical narratives.
Guest Labelists
The Kara Walker exhibition features the contributions of guest labelists from the Pittsburgh community. Guest contributors include:
– Amanda Boston, Assistant Professor, Department of Africana Studies, University of Pittsburgh– Tara Fay Coleman, artist, curator, and writer committed to fostering critical dialogue in the arts
– Madeline Gent, Executive Director, Associated Artists of Pittsburgh
– Jasmine Green, Black Girl Absolute
– Jim Griffin, Director of Equity and Community Engagement, University of Pittsburgh
– Michael Kraus, Curator, Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall and Museum
– Bryanna McDaniel, MPH, Public Health Professional
– Shaun Myers, Assistant Professor, Department of English, University of Pittsburgh
– Alaina E. Roberts, Associate Professor of History, University of Pittsburgh
– Kirk Savage, William S. Dietrich II Professor, History of Art and Architecture, University of Pittsburgh
– Haifa Subay, artist
– Heather White, Artist and Director of Learning, The Andy Warhol Museum
– Quaishawn Whitlock, Artist and Educator
– Imin Yeh, Associate Professor of Art and Director of Foundational Studies, Carnegie Mellon University
Hear from a select number of labelists in conversation on May 1, when we host a lively discussion about the pieces that inspired their labels. Learn More →
Supporters
Kara Walker: Harper's Pictorial History of the Civil War (Annotated) is made possible by many generous supporters. If you would like to join the list of supporters, click here to make a gift in support of this milestone exhibition.
View Exhibition SupportersKara Walker: Harper's Pictorial History of the Civil War (Annotated)
Experience Kara Walker: Harper's Pictorial History of the Civil War (Annotated) from March 1 through May 25, 2025. Tickets are not timed. You may enter the exhibition at any time between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. during the day of your ticket.
Members: Free
General Admission: $15
Seniors 65+, Military/Veterans, Adults w/ Disabilities, Teachers: $13
Students w/ ID: $10
Museums for All (EBT): $1
Youth 17 & under: $5
Group admission of $13 per person is available for groups of 10 people or more. To reserve group admission tickets, please email education@thefrickpittsburgh.org.
Members are encouraged to call the Members Hotline at 412-342-4086
Free Admission Day
Enjoy free admission to Kara Walker: Harper's Pictorial History of the Civil War (Annotated) thanks to generous support from Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield. Registration is required for entry.
Wednesday, April 2, 2025 — Highmark Bright Blue Futures Free Admission Day sponsored by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield
Please note: Kara Walker: Harper's Pictorial History of the Civil War (Annotated) contains sensitive imagery and descriptive content related to instances of racially motivated violence in the Civil War South.
There will be a reflection space as part of the exhibition, and images of the exhibition are available at the Grable Visitor Center for visitors interested in previewing the show's content before entering.
The touring presentation of Kara Walker: Harper’s Pictorial History of the Civil War (Annotated) is organized by The Museum Box. The exhibition was curated by Lisa Hayes Williams, associate curator at the New Britain Museum of American Art where the show debuted in 2020.
Please Note: A photographer will be present in the galleries on March 1, 2025.
Gallery
Browse through select works on display in Kara Walker: Harper's Pictorial History of the Civil War (Annotated).
Images:
1. Kara Walker, Alabama Loyalists Greeting the Federal Gun-Boats. From Harper's Pictorial History of the Civil War (Annotated), 2005. Offset lithography and silkscreen. Sheet: 39 x 53 inches (99.1 x 134.6 cm). Edition of 35. Courtesy of the New Britain Museum of American Art, 2019.4.15 © Kara Walker
2. Kara Walker, Confederate Prisoners Being Conducted from Jonesborough to Atlanta. From Harper's Pictorial History of the Civil War (Annotated), 2005. Offset lithography and silkscreen Sheet: 39 x 53 inches (99.1 x 134.6 cm). Edition of 35. Courtesy of the New Britain Museum of American Art, 2019.4.7 © Kara Walker
3. Kara Walker, Exodus of Confederates from Atlanta. From Harper's Pictorial History of the Civil War (Annotated), 2005. Offset lithography and silkscreen Sheet: 39 x 53 inches (99.1 x 134.6 cm). Edition of 35. Courtesy of the New Britain Museum of American Art, 2019.4.12 © Kara Walker
4. Kara Walker, Lost Mountain at Sunrise. From Harper's Pictorial History of the Civil War (Annotated), 2005. Offset lithography and silkscreen Sheet: 39 x 53 inches (99.1 x 134.6 cm). Edition of 35. Courtesy of the New Britain Museum of American Art, 2019.4.7 © Kara Walker
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