Study for Portrait of Julius Hemphill III 1973

"Study for Portrait of Julius Hemphill III" (1973) is a study for a portrait of the American composer and saxophonist Julius Hemphill by the artist Oliver Lee Jackson. The drawing is a collection of smaller sketches, each exploring different elements of Hemphill’s body and posture. The sketches are likely meant to be used for a larger portrait composition. The drawing is executed in black ink on paper, and is reminiscent of Jackson’s other work, which often depicts African American figures in a simplified, yet expressive style. This study is a compelling example of Jackson’s process as an artist, as he worked to capture Hemphill’s likeness in his signature style.