Sleeping Boy

John Thomas Biggers

1950

Conte crayon on paper

Dallas Museum of Art

This lithograph is an excellent example of John Biggers’ work prior to his 1957 visit to Africa, which concentrated on African American rather than African themes. Biggers’ lifelong concern with African American identity is attributed to his art professor Viktor Lowenfeld, who encouraged his students to reveal their artistic and cultural heritage in their works. Today Biggers is acclaimed for his complex, symbolic African American– and African-themed works. "Sleeping Boy" won a 1952 art competition at the Dallas Museum of Fine Arts. This lithograph is an excellent example of John Biggers’ work prior to his 1957 visit to Africa, whic