Elizabeth Catlett is a giant among artists. She is an outstanding twentieth century artist with a rare ability to communicate with the peoples of the world.

She was born in Washington, D.C. in 1919 and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts from Howard University and a Master of Fine Arts degree from the State University of Iowa. She works primarily in the media of sculpture and printmaking.

The granddaughter of North Carolina slaves, Catlett has lived in Cuernavaca, Mexico since 1946 with her husband, the Mexican artist, Francisco Mora. They met at a workshop in Mexico and married soon after. Catlett maintains her connection with the U.S., spending some months each year at her second residence in New York City.

She has served as Professor of Sculpture and department head at the National School of Fine Arts of the National Museum of Mexico.

She has been the recipient of over 25 prestigious prizes and several honorary degrees. Her works are found in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art, Mexico City; the Museum of Modern Art, New York; the Library of Congress, Washington, D.C., among numerous other public and private collections.

Prints by Elizabeth Catlett

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Catlett