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Catalog Data

Maker:
Tshibumba Kanda-Matulu, 1947-ca. 1981, Democratic Republic of the Congo  Search this
Medium:
Paint on canvas
Dimensions:
H x W x D (image): 45.7 × 64.8 cm (18 × 25 1/2 in.)
H x W x D (frame): 50.2 × 69.2 cm (19 3/4 × 27 1/4 in.)
Type:
Painting
Geography:
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Date:
ca. 1974-1976
Description:
The central figure is a man in glasses wearing a striped suit, white shirt and tie, gold star below his pocket; he is standing behind three microphones. The figure’s right arm is raised, fist clenched; his left hand touches a globe. Behind him stands a man in sunglasses, hat in hand, wearing a tan suit adorned with colorful sashes. The sky is blue and a smiling crowd is at the feet of the speaker. Vive Le 30 Juin 1960 Zaire Independence is inscribed in the upper right; the painting is signed in the lower right. The painting depicts Patrice Émery Lumumba, a nationalist leader who served as the first prime minister of the newly independent Republic of the Congo. He is shown delivering his famous Independence Day speech to a crowd of smiling supporters. Behind him stands Belgian king Baudouin, who closely observes the scene. After just three months in office, Lumumba was forced out, arrested shortly thereafter, and assassinated in 1961.
The painting depicts Patrice Émery Lumumba, a nationalist leader who served as the first prime minister of the newly independent Republic of the Congo. He is shown delivering his famous Independence Day speech to a crowd of smiling supporters. Behind him stands Belgian king Baudouin, who closely observes the scene. After just three months in office, Lumumba was forced out, arrested shortly thereafter, and assassinated in 1961.
Provenance:
Purchased by the donor directly from the artist when he visited the U.S, consulate in Lubumbashi
Content Statement:
As part of our commitment to accessibility and transparency, the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art is placing its collection records online. Please note that some records are incomplete (missing image or content descriptions) and others reflect out-of-date language or systems of thought regarding how to engage with and discuss cultural heritage and the specifics of individual artworks. If you see content requiring immediate action, we will do our best to address it in a timely manner. Please email nmafacuratorial@si.edu if you have any questions.
Image Requests:
High resolution digital images are not available for some objects. For publication quality photography and permissions, please contact the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives at https://africa.si.edu/research/eliot-elisofon-photographic-archives/
Credit Line:
Gift of Marshall and Ginger Adair
Object number:
2020-17-4
Restrictions & Rights:
Usage conditions apply
See more items in:
National Museum of African Art Collection
Data Source:
National Museum of African Art
GUID:
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ys70220db33-a8bf-464c-b9c8-9d17515819aa
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:nmafa_2020-17-4