The Compleat Elizabeth Catlett I Am The Black Woman

a black on white linocut print by elizabeth catlett of a tight composition of four male workers huddled around a Black woman in the center, with her fist extended.
Elizabeth Catlett, I am the Black Woman, 1946-47/1989, 9. My role has been important in the struggle to organize the unorganized, 6 1/8×9 in., ed. 9/20, selling in October 2026 at Swann

A rare complete set of Elizabeth Catlett’s iconic linocut portfolio, I am the Black Woman, is coming up for sale at Swann Galleries on October 1st.

Catlett’s first edition, published in Mexico City 1946-47 as I am the Negro Woman, had fifteen prints. The second printing was made in 1989 with the surviving 14 blocks. MoMA bought the last complete set to come up in 2021.

a black and brown printed linocut by elizabeth catlett of the head and shoulders of a Black woman with short natural hair and a white shirt looking up
14. My right is a future of equality with other Americans, 9 1/8 x 6 1/8 in., ed. 9/20 via Swann

Even the set in the National Gallery’s Catlett retrospective was assembled from various sources. I don’t know if it’s complete or matching, but the DC public high school Catlett attended and later taught at had an original set in rough condition, which strikes me as the most historically important. For this set, I imagine museums will be competing against themselves to catch up.

1 Oct 2023, Lot 29, Elizabeth Catlett, I am the Black Woman, 1946-47/1989, est. $120-180,000 [update: sold for $130,000 bid, $167,600 with premium] [swanngalleries]