About the Work

From the Artist
This piece was inspired by the old blues standard "Black Snake in my Bed." It depicts a woman in bed, longing for her lover
_{—From Brandywine Workshop and Archives records}

The title of this piece is taken from the song “Black Snake Blues,” first recorded by Victoria Spivey in 1926 and better known by Blind Lemon Jefferson’s 1927 version, “Black Snake Moan.”
_{—From https://risdmuseum.org/art-design/collection/black-snake-blues-20146644}

Here the woman is in a bedroom scene, yearning for her lover. It is unclear if the snake has replaced the woman’s lover, or removed him. The position that she is laying suggests she is reminiscing on past relationships that contained intimacy and comfort. Regardless of the two subjects' relationships, the print carries a strong feeling of sexuality and desire.
_{—From Brandywine Workshop and Archives records}