Move On Up A Little Higher

Object Details

Caption: Charles White’s drawing, Move On Up a Little Higher, interweaves themes of religion, music, visual art, and the struggle for civil rights. The title refers to a gospel song by William Herbert Brewster in the early 1940s. Brewster stated that he wrote the song to “inspire Black people to move up higher,” a dangerous message that could be sung, but not openly said, in the segregated South. Following Mahalia Jackson’s recording of the composition in 1948, “Move On Up a Little Higher” became an iconic song within the Civil Rights Movement.; White’s drawing reveals the immense power of Black women within the church, as well as in the struggle for race and gender equality.
Description: This charcoal and Wolff carbon pencil drawing depicts a monumental woman. She is seated centered left-of-center against a plain background. Gazing downwards with arms upraised, her robe is draped loosely across her lap. It is signed by the artist in the lower right corner.

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

1961

Restrictions & Rights: © 1961 The Charles White Archive; Permission required for use. Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Visual Arts
Movement: Civil Rights Movement
Exhibition: Reckoning: Protest. Defiance. Resilience.
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Culture/Fourth Floor, 4 052

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Topic: African American; Art; Christianity; Civil Rights; Gospel (Music); Religion; The Black Church

GUID (Link to Original Record): http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd52adc8bbc-bf9a-47da-a246-d3e7757727e4