About Annuit Coeptis
A quote from Toni Morrison that resonates with me is:
"The best art is political and you ought to be able to make it unquestionably political and irrevocably beautiful at the same time."
I decided to create something beautiful- an empowered Black woman, and reveal in her story some of what I know about American history. There are many historical and religious references throughout this work which were gathered from several art books I have collected, most notably a fine art book by the Italian Renaissance Painter Fra Angelica. The woman in Annuit Coeptis is keenly aware of the recent resistance to ignore certain chapters in American History. The central idea is that the intertwined social forces of religion and politics are taken for granted so profoundly that one almost cannot discuss them and the woman I painted knows this - she is not fooled.
I was looking at a dollar bill one day and was curious as to what the phrase Annuit Coeptis meant. It's a phrase that appears on the back of the one-dollar bill, on The Great Seal of the United States, added in 1935. Translated from Latin, it means "God approves our undertaking." I am fascinated with American History, how it's censored, who wrote it, and how it's unearthed. The politics of a country affect every citizen regardless of their position. To make a compelling and beautiful image that is also political is extremely challenging but it's important, as Ms. Morrison states.
The print size is 23 x 25" which includes a 2" white border all around.
Each print is made with the finest museum-quality archival inks on Canson 100% Cotton Photographique Fine Art Paper. The paper is smooth and velvety, chosen for its ability to hold vivid, rich colors.
"Annuit Coeptis" is hand-signed by Mark Beck in the lower right corner with the edition number noted in the bottom left corner. It ships Priority Mail in a 5" heavy-duty tube from Albuquerque, New Mexico. Photos shown are of the actual print.
The print size includes a 2" white border all around for the best framing aesthetic. You can frame it exactly as it arrives to you, or choose to add a mat. Please note, the print is sold unframed.
