The Light That Shines 

Mark Beck made this painting, The Light That Shines, at some point in the late 20th century. It portrays a young black woman in grayscale, set against an exuberant backdrop of swirling colour and vegetation. Consider the politics of imagery at play here. The artist consciously depicts his subject in monochrome, set against a riotous explosion of colour. The woman is presented in a classic, almost photographic style, while the background evokes a sense of freedom, perhaps even escape. What might this say about the image of black women in late 20th century America? Is Beck commenting on the way black people are perceived, or on their relationship to the natural world? The historian can shed light on these questions by exploring the complex social, economic, and cultural forces that shaped this work. Academic databases, historical newspapers, and institutional records can all help to clarify its social context. The meaning of art is contingent on its environment and historical context.