Study for "Great America" (Under Water) c. 1994

Kerry James Marshall's "Study for 'Great America' (Under Water)" is a sketch in blue ink on paper, dated c. 1994. The artist is known for his iconic paintings of Black life in America, and this work is a study for his major painting, "Great America". It features a rough drawing of a ship viewed from underwater with the caption "ship from below water". These sketches provide insight into the creative process of Marshall's work, and the vision of a ship under water reflects his interest in depicting Black experiences and perspective.