Richmond Barthe
1901-1989
Woman with Turban
1962
bronze with brown patina
12 x 5 x 5 inches
incised signature

Illustrated: Samella Lewis, Barthe: His Life in Art, p. 209 (another cast).

Provenance: The estate of James Garner, Los Angeles, California (acquired directly from the artist).

In 1976, Richmond Barthe arrived in Pasadena, with the entirety of his personal belongings: a television and a modeling table. Charles White and his wife had found him a small apartment. Barthé was an acquaintance of Ivan Dixon (an African American actor and director, well-known for his role in Hogan's Heroes). Dixon introduced his friend to Samella Lewis shortly after his arrival in L.A. Two years later (1978), Dixon introduced Barthe to a co-worker, Nanette Turner, who decided to interview him and submit an article to the Inner City Cultural Center, who published a multicultural magazine of the arts. Dixon was directing an episode of the television show, The Rockford Files, and upon hearing the story of Barthe and reading the article, actor James Garner (the star of the show), requested a meeting with the artist.

Garner funded the casting of editions of Barthe’s sculptures, under the supervision of the artist. The revenue from these sculptures, supplemented by financial support from Garner (Garner put Barthe on his payroll for the remainder of the artist’s life) allowed Barthe to live comfortably. Barthe celebrated his 81st birthday in 1982 on the set of The Rockford Files, and five years later, in 1987, the Museum of African American Art honored him for his achievements in the art world.