Elizabeth Catlett — Sharecropper (1972)
Elizabeth Catlett — Sharecropper (1972)
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Premium — Well-preserved vintage impression with a clean image area and minimal handling wear.
Archive — Vintage impression with minor edge or border wear consistent with age; image remains clear and intact.
Archive Signed — Vintage archive impression bearing an original signature. Available only with select 1978 Handcraft Studios examples.
Ships securely in a poster tube. Certificate of authenticity included.
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About the Print
Sharecropper is among Elizabeth Catlett's most recognized and enduring images. Rendered with quiet strength and clarity, the portrait embodies dignity, labor, and resilience—central themes throughout Catlett's lifelong commitment to representing Black life with honesty and respect.
This work is offered as a vintage offset lithograph poster from the original publishing archive established under the authority of Dr. Samella Lewis. Collectors may acquire either the 1972 Contemporary Crafts edition—the first authorized poster reproduction of the image—or the later 1978 Handcraft Studios edition, which continued publication from the same Samella Lewis publishing archive.
Both editions represent important chapters in the wider circulation, preservation, and collecting history of Elizabeth Catlett's work.
Provenance & Publication
Year
1972 Contemporary Crafts Edition
1978 Handcraft Studios Edition
Copyright
© Multicultural Productions, Los Angeles, California
Produced by
Contemporary Crafts Inc. (1972 Edition)
Handcraft Studios (1978 Edition)
Published under the authority
Dr. Samella Lewis
Source Archive
Original publishing archive and collection of Dr. Samella Lewis
Dr. Samella Lewis was the first publisher to reproduce Sharecropper in authorized offset lithograph poster form, expanding access to one of Elizabeth Catlett's most celebrated images while preserving its historical significance and artistic integrity.
The editions offered here originate from the original publishing archive established and maintained by Dr. Lewis and her family.
About the Artist
Elizabeth Catlett (1915–2012) was one of the most influential American artists of the twentieth century. Her work addressed social justice, labor, and the lived experiences of Black communities with clarity, dignity, and moral force.
Working primarily in printmaking and sculpture, Catlett combined technical mastery with a lifelong commitment to social change. Her images of Black life remain foundational to American art history and are held in the collections of major museums worldwide.
About the Publisher
Dr. Samella Lewis was an art historian, curator, publisher, educator, artist, and institution builder whose contributions fundamentally shaped the study and preservation of African American art.
As founder of Contemporary Crafts, co-founder of the Museum of African American Art, author of numerous scholarly publications, and publisher of important editions by leading Black artists, Lewis dedicated her career to expanding access to African American cultural history.
Through her publishing work, she helped bring important artworks into homes, schools, libraries, and collections across the country while preserving the integrity and historical context of the original works.
The editions offered here originate from her original publishing archive and continue the stewardship of that legacy.
Product Details
Artist: Elizabeth Catlett
Title: Sharecropper
Medium: Vintage offset lithograph poster
Printing Options:
• 1972 Contemporary Crafts Edition
• 1978 Handcraft Studios Edition
Dimensions: 18 × 14 inches
Condition Options:
• Premium
• Archive
• Archive Signed
Framing: Unframed unless otherwise stated
Documentation: Certificate of authenticity included
Availability
This poster was produced as part of a finite historical printing. As works from the original publishing archive enter private collections, availability naturally diminishes over time.
Once sold, future access to prints from this archive cannot be guaranteed.
Part of the Samella Lewis Publishing Archive Collection.
Shipping & Care
Each print is carefully packaged to ensure safe delivery.
Ships securely in a protective poster tube.
Certificate of authenticity included.
Shipping timelines, insurance, and return information are provided at checkout.