Created on 2024-02-07

The image is a piece of artwork that includes both illustration and text. The upper portion depicts a black and white silhouette of two figures: one appears to be a man with a cane and a hat, representing an old-fashioned gentleman, escorting or guiding another figure who seems to be wearing no hat and is slightly slouched, possibly indicating a lesser social status or a youth. Below the illustration is a block of text in a rectangle outlined with a thin black border. The text reads: "Ran away, Glenn Ligon. He’s a shortish broad-shouldered black man, pretty dark-skinned, with glasses. Kind of stocky, tends to look down and turn in when he walks. Real short hair, almost none. Clothes non-descript, something button-down and plaid, maybe, and shorts and sandals. Wide lower face and narrow upper face. Nice teeth." At the bottom right of the piece is a signature that seems to be "Ligon '93," and on the bottom left, there appears to be an edition mark or number which reads "PP 1/3." The artwork appears to be a modern piece, drawing upon historical formats, possibly referencing runaway slave advertisements, but recontextualized to describe an individual named Glenn Ligon, who is likely the artist. The piece might be commenting on identity, perception, or historical contexts of racial descriptions.

Created on 2024-03-30

The image depicts two silhouetted figures standing together. The text below the image provides a description of one of the figures, identifying him as Glenn Ligon, a shortish broad-shouldered black man with dark skin, glasses, and short hair who tends to look down and turn in when he walks. The text describes his clothing as non-descript, possibly including something button-down and plaid, as well as shorts and sandals. It also mentions his wide lower face and narrow upper face, and nice teeth. Overall, the text provides a detailed physical description of the man without identifying him directly.