Two Men Embracing Pen and Ink Drawing by Damballah Dolphus Smith (1943–1992)

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On offer is a striking example of modern figurative abstraction, likely dating from the late 20th century. This work explores … Read more On offer is a striking example of modern figurative abstraction, likely dating from the late 20th century. This work explores themes of identity, duality, and spiritual connection through a complex, surrealist lens. The primary subject consists of overlapping, nested profiles that share a single eye—literally seeing eye to eye—creating a sense of fluid identity or multiple perspectives existing within one being.
The creator, Damballah Dolphus Smith (1943–1992), was a Washington, D.C.-based artist and illustrator known for his works that explored African and African American culture and identity. Born in 1943, he studied at the Art Students League in New York and the Philadelphia College of Art. His work spanned paintings, drawings, and textiles, often incorporating ancient African themes and symbols. In 1992, Smith designed a well-known poster for the American Red Cross HIV/AIDS program featuring an Ethiopian proverb: "He who conceals his disease cannot expect to be cured."
Not incidentally, the artist’s first name carries considerable symbolism. The word "Damballah" handwritten vertically in the lower right margin, is not only the artist’s signature. In Haitian Vodou, Damballah is the "Sky Father" and primordial creator, often symbolized as a serpent. The winding, rhythmic lines of the figure's neck and arms mirror this serpentine energy. Below the main subject is a row of small, black silhouettes in mid-stride. These suggest a theme of procession, migration, or ancestral history, grounding the ethereal main figure in a sense of movement and collective journey.
The work showcases masterful hatching and cross-hatching. The background is a dense, high-contrast black field that transitions into fine horizontal lines, creating a dramatic, atmospheric depth reminiscent of woodcut or engraving styles.
Damballah Dolphus Smith’s art is held in various museum collections including the Philadelphia Afro-American Museum of History and Culture and the Smithsonian Institution.
Signature: Lower right margin. Image dimensions: 9”w x 11”h See less