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Identification and Creation

Object Number
2011.46
People
Howard Finster, American (Valley Head, AL 1916-2001 Rome, GA)
Title
A Woman Shall Compass Man
Classification
Paintings
Work Type
painting
Date
c. 1978
Culture
American
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/337432

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Enamel on masonite, glitter, on frame
Dimensions
57.8 x 95.3 cm (22 3/4 x 37 1/2 in.)
Inscriptions and Marks
  • Signed: l.c.l.: BY HOWARD FINSTER MAN/ OF VISIONS HOSEA-12-10; on verso in black ink: By HOWARD FINSTER MAN OF VISIONS HOSEA-12-10 Dec. 1-1978
  • inscription: inscribed l.l: JER-31-22 A WOMAN SHALL COMPASS MAN./ THE END OF EARTHS ROAD LEADS TO CRATORS OF OTHER/ WORLDS. WOMEN SHALL OUTNUBER MAN AND GROW/ IN GREAT POWER BEFORE THE END OF EARTHS PLANET./ THE PROPHETS OF GOD NEVER FAIL./ NO MAN KNOWS THE FUTURE EXCEPT GOD SHOWS HIM. AFTER THAT NO MAN CHANGE HIM. FOREVER./ THE HOWARD FINSTER FUTURE STUDIO IN MY/ FATHERS HOUSE ARE MANNY [sic] MANSIONS
    inscribed center, on self-portrait: HOWARD
    inscribed l.c.: CRATORS/ OF/ OTHER/ WORLDS/ 1000 AND 266/ PAINTINGS/ SINCE 1976
    inscribed u.c., below woman's arm: SHE WILL PICK THEM UP AND SIT/ THEM DOWN.
    inscribed l.r., on woman's shoe: WOMAN/ POWER/ IN MEN/ SHOES
    inscribed l.r.: HEY, SET THE CASTLE DOWN
  • inscription: on verso, in black ink: enamel on T.V. Side
  • label: on verso, picture of young man; inscribed in pen: Howard Finster
  • label: on verso, picture of a Finster painting, text reads: "by the Reverend Howard Finster"

Provenance

Recorded Ownership History
Howard Finster, sold; to Jeff and Jane Camp; [Cavin-Morris/Ethnographic Arts, Inc., New York, NY]; Didi and David Barrett, NY, gift; to the Harvard Art Museums, 2011.

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Fogg Museum, Collection of Didi & David Barrett ‘71
Copyright
© Howard Finster/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
Accession Year
2011
Object Number
2011.46
Division
Modern and Contemporary Art
Contact
am_moderncontemporary@harvard.edu
Permissions

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Publication History

  • J. F. Turner, Howard Finster: Man of Visions, Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. (New York, 1989), ill. p. 143

Exhibition History

  • The Road to Heaven is Paved by Good Works: The Art of Reverend Howard Finster, Paine Webber Gallery, 09/21/1989 - 01/05/1990
  • Millenial Dreams: The Utopian Vision in American Folk Art, Museum of American Folk Art, 11/13/1999 - 05/14/2000

Verification Level

This record has been reviewed by the curatorial staff but may be incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of Modern and Contemporary Art at am_moderncontemporary@harvard.edu