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Jean Outland Chrysler Library

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Moses Myers House

The oldest Jewish home in America open to the public as a museum offers a glimpse of the life of an early 19th century merchant family.
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About the Library

With an extensive collection of more than 106,000 rare and unique volumes relating to the history of art, the Jean Outland Chrysler Art Library is one of the most significant art libraries in the South. More about the library

Willoughby-Baylor House

Completed in 1794, this former home now presents a mix of art and artifacts. See what's on view

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One Memorial Place,
Norfolk, VA
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Visit our Museum Shop
and the Wisteria Cafe.

Perry Glass Studio

A state-of-art facility on the Museum’s campus. See a free glassmaking demo Tuesdays–Sunday at noon. Like what you see? Take a class with us! More about the Studio

Moses Myers House

The home of the first permanent Jewish residents of Norfolk, this historic house offers a glimpse of the life of a wealthy early 19th-century merchant family.
More about the house

Jean Outland Chrysler Library

With an extensive collection of more than 106,000 rare and unique volumes relating to the history of art, the Jean Outland Chrysler Library is one of the most significant art libraries in the South. More about the Library

Weddings & Event Rentals

The perfect place for your big day or special event. Get the details

Take a tour

We offer a number of tours on different topics. More about tours

Jean Outland Chrysler Library

Visit one of the most significant art libraries in the South. More about the library

About the Chrysler

Our story spans well over 100 years. See where we began, how we grew, and where we're going. Explore our history

News and Announcements

See what's happening at the Museum, read Chrysler Magazine, and find our Media Center. Read now

Location

745 Duke Street
Norfolk, VA 23510
757-333-6299

Always Free Parking

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Third Thursdays

Live art performances monthly.
See the archive

Studio Team

Meet the brilliant minds behind the Studio.
See the team

Studio Assistantship Program

Further your career and join us in Norfolk.
Find out more

The Masterpiece Society

Learn about this innovative group of museum supporters.
Meet the Masterpiece Society

Planned Giving

Help ensure the long-term success of the Museum.
Learn about planned giving

Historic Houses

Located on Freemason St. —

Open Saturday and Sunday

Noon–5 p.m.

Jean Outland Chrysler Library

By Appointment

Tuesday-Thursday

10:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.

Moses Myers House

The oldest Jewish home in America open to the public as a museum offers a glimpse of the life of an early 19th century merchant family.
More about the house

About the Library

With an extensive collection of more than 106,000 rare and unique volumes relating to the history of art, the Jean Outland Chrysler Art Library is one of the most significant art libraries in the South. More about the library

Willoughby-Baylor House

Completed in 1794, this former home now presents a mix of art and artifacts. See what's on view

Located in Norfolk

One Memorial Place,
Norfolk, VA
Get Directions

While You're Here

Visit our Museum Shop
and the Wisteria Cafe.

Perry Glass Studio

A state-of-art facility on the Museum’s campus. See a free glassmaking demo Tuesdays–Sunday at noon. Like what you see? Take a class with us! More about the Studio

Moses Myers House

The home of the first permanent Jewish residents of Norfolk, this historic house offers a glimpse of the life of a wealthy early 19th-century merchant family.
More about the house

Jean Outland Chrysler Library

With an extensive collection of more than 106,000 rare and unique volumes relating to the history of art, the Jean Outland Chrysler Library is one of the most significant art libraries in the South. More about the Library

Weddings & Event Rentals

The perfect place for your big day or special event. Get the details

Take a tour

We offer a number of tours on different topics. More about tours

Jean Outland Chrysler Library

Visit one of the most significant art libraries in the South. More about the library

About the Chrysler

Our story spans well over 100 years. See where we began, how we grew, and where we're going. Explore our history

News and Announcements

See what's happening at the Museum, read Chrysler Magazine, and find our Media Center. Read now

Location

745 Duke Street
Norfolk, VA 23510
757-333-6299

Always Free Parking

Get Directions

Third Thursdays

Live art performances monthly.
See the archive

Studio Team

Meet the brilliant minds behind the Studio.
See the team

Studio Assistantship Program

Further your career and join us in Norfolk.
Find out more

The Masterpiece Society

Learn about this innovative group of museum supporters.
Meet the Masterpiece Society

Planned Giving

Help ensure the long-term success of the Museum.
Learn about planned giving

Collections Menu
Slick

Slick

Artist: Barkley L. Hendricks (American, 1945 - 2017)
Date: 1977
Medium: Oil, acrylic, and Magna (acrylic resin paint) on canvas
Dimensions:
67 × 48 1/2 in. (170.2 × 123.2 cm)
Overall, Frame: 68 1/2 × 50 1/2 × 3 1/4 in. (174 × 128.3 × 8.3 cm)
Classification: Contemporary art
Credit Line: Gift of the American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters, New York
Copyright: ©Barkley L. Hendricks
Object number: 78.62
Terms
  • Man
  • African-American Artist
  • Self-portrait
  • Portrait
  • Barkley Hendricks
  • White
  • Gold
  • Brown
  • Black
In Collection(s)
Not on view
DescriptionThis is an oil, acrylic and magna on canvas. It is a self-portrait of the artist in a white suit.

Exhibition History"American Figure Painting, 1950-1980," The Chrysler Museum, Norfolk, VA, October 17 - November 30, 1980.
"The Artist Sees New London," The Lyman Allyn Art Museum/The Williams School, New London, CT, September 15 - November 17, 1991.
"Work of the Month," Chrysler Museum of Art, McKinnon Galleries of Modern Art, May 2001. * Barkley Hendricks, whose painting, "Dixwell" was included in the exhibition "To Conserve a Legacy" at the Chrysler Museum of Art and Hampton University Museum, spoke during an Artists' Panel at Hampton University Museum on May 5, 2001.
"Barkley L. Hendricks: Birth of the Cool," Nasher Museum of Art, Duke University, Durham, NC, February 7- July 13, 2008; Studio Museum in Harlem, November 12, 2008-March 15, 2009; Santa Monica Museum of Art, May 9 - August 15, 2009; Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, September 18 - December 20, 2009.
"Remix Redux: A Fresh Mix For Our Modern And Contemporary Galleries," Chrysler Museum of Art, Norfolk, Virginia, August 15 - December 30, 2012.
"Barkley L. Hendricks: Portraits at the Frick," The Frick Collection Madison Avenue, New York, NY, September 21, 2023 - January 7, 2024.
Label textBarkley L. Hendricks
American, 1945 - 2017
Slick, 1977
Oil, acrylic, and Magna (acrylic resin paint) on canvas

“You think you’re slick. Just wait. One day a woman is going to straighten you out!”

This wry comment by Hendricks’ sister inspired the title of this self-portrait. The essence of cool, the artist is stylishly dressed in a white linen suit and stands against a neutral backdrop. The white-on-white environment becomes a witty metaphor for the racial politics of the era. Drawing attention to his face and colorful African cap, Hendricks invites us to contemplate his identity—a vision that is literally reflected in his glasses as they catch the light from his studio’s arched windows.

Gift of the American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters, New York 78.62

Published References Thomas W. Stryon, AMERICAN FIGURE PAINTING, 1950-1980 (Norfolk, VA: The Chrysler Museum, 1980), 79, 112; b/w ill. 79 Edited by Trevor Schoonmaker, _Barkley L. Hendricks: Birth of the Cool_, exh. cat., Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, 2008, 58 cat. 34., 65 cat. 34., 127. Gannit Ankori, _My Mechanical Sketchbook: Barkley L. Hendricks and Photography_, exh. cat., Rose Art Museum, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA, 2022, 45. Aimee Ng and Antwaun Sargent, _Barkley L. Hendricks: Portraits at the Frick_, exh. cat., The Frick Collection in association with Rizzoli Electa, New York, 2023, 106-107, cat. no. 11.