Provenance

Lou Stovall

Stovall, Luther McKinley

American, 1937 - 2023

Lou Stovall blended craftsmanship with high art in his bold and vivid screenprints. He founded the community printmaking studio Workshop, Inc. in 1968 in Washington, DC. Stovall’s journey to printmaking began when he silk-screened signs while working at a grocery store in his youth.

Stovall also played a pivotal role in the DC art community. He organized exhibitions and provided services as a framer, installer, adviser, and promoter. Notably, he crafted an artwork for the Washington, DC, mayor’s host committee for the 1988 Democratic National Convention.

Stovall’s influence is evident in many protest posters from cultural institutions and civil rights groups of the 1960s. He also worked with a host of prominent artists, such as Jacob Lawrence, Elizabeth Catlett, Lois Mailou Jones, and David Driskell.

Explore selected works

See all 25 works of art
The image portrays a desert landscape from an elevated perspective. The barren terrain extends towards the horizon with curved tracks suggesting movement. A rock or small object casts a long shadow on the right side. On the left, there is a bluff or edge of a shallow canyon. The color palette is monochromatic with the focus on textures and lines of the sandy terrain against a pale sky.
Robert Adams, Quarried mesa top, Pueblo County, Colorado, 1978, gelatin silver print, Gift of Lou and Di Stovall, 2018.194.13

Quarried mesa top, Pueblo County, Colorado

Robert Adams · 1978 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2018.194.13

The image shows a large, green abstract shape resembling a tree, with a thin trunk rising from a solid green base, against a bright yellow background. The top of the tree is an abstract oval shape filled with wavy lines of various colors such as red, brown, orange, purple, and dark blue. Above this, ornate white letters spell out a message.
Lou Stovall, The Workshop, Inc., I Love You, 1970, color screenprint on wove paper, Corcoran Collection (Stovall Graphics, 1971), 2015.19.2514

I Love You

Lou Stovall, The Workshop, Inc. · 1970 · color screenprint on wove paper ·  Accession ID  2015.19.2514

This print shows two large, detailed flowers with deep purple and black petals and vibrant pink veins and edges. Around the flowers are sage green leaves that extend upwards behind them. The background is off-white paper.
Lou Stovall, The Workshop, Inc., Breathing Hope, 1996, color screenprint on wove paper, Gift of Lou, Di Bagley and Will Stovall, 2007.54.1

Breathing Hope

Lou Stovall, The Workshop, Inc. · 1996 · color screenprint on wove paper ·  Accession ID  2007.54.1

This print displays curved and angular shapes in bold colors that create a scene reminiscent of a cavalry charge. There appear to be two rows of overlapping horses, all positioned closely together and facing the right. The horses are in shades of white, gray, and black. Each horse has a rider on its back. The riders wear coats in alternating shades of red and brown, and they all wear tall teal hats with darker blue brims. They have curved teal-and-green swords hanging from their sides. The features of the riders are simplified, and we can only see one rider's face, which is entirely black except for one visible white eye. The ground beneath the horses is brown, with thin stripes of blue, red, white, and yellow shooting up in some areas, looking like colorful flames. The sky in the background is a pale blue-gray color.
Jacob Lawrence, Lou Stovall, Amistad Research Center, Toussaint at Ennery, 1989, color screenprint on wove paper, Gift of Alexander M. and Judith W. Laughlin, 1993.30.2

Toussaint at Ennery

Jacob Lawrence, Lou Stovall, Amistad Research Center · 1989 · color screenprint on wove paper ·  Accession ID  1993.30.2

The image shows an elevated point of view looking over a vast, rocky landscape. The horizon is high in the frame, with barren land stretching into the distance. The terrain is textured with rocks and sparse vegetation, featuring pathways that guide the eye towards the horizon. The image is in black and white, with a grayscale tonal palette emphasizing the desolate scene. Shadows are faint due to even lighting, enhancing the sense of vast space.
Robert Adams, Abandoned car, Carbon County, Wyoming, 1977, gelatin silver print, Gift of Lou and Di Stovall, 2018.194.7

Abandoned car, Carbon County, Wyoming

Robert Adams · 1977 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2018.194.7

The image shows a flat landscape with sparse vegetation and tufts of grass. The horizon is high with distant hills or mountains. The style is photographic, black and white. There is a circular pond reflecting the landscape. The color palette is monochromatic gray with structures in the distance to the right. The sky above is light gray.
Robert Adams, Alkali Lake, Albany County, Wyoming, 1977, gelatin silver print, Gift of Lou and Di Stovall, 2018.194.1

Alkali Lake, Albany County, Wyoming

Robert Adams · 1977 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2018.194.1

The image shows a straight road stretching into the distance, with hills dominating the low horizon. The composition divides the road and open field, creating contrast and depth. The road is smooth and dark with faint lane markings, while an expansive field leads to the hills in the background. The sky is muted, and the landscape appears in black and white with overall tonal contrast.
Robert Adams, North of Laporte, Colorado, 1977, gelatin silver print, Gift of Lou and Di Stovall, 2018.194.4

North of Laporte, Colorado

Robert Adams · 1977 · gelatin silver print ·  Accession ID  2018.194.4

The image shows a central, vertical shape in warm yellow and brown tones topped by a circular, multicolored mass of swirling lines and splashes. The background features large, flat expanses of warm and cool colors.
Lou Stovall, The Workshop, Inc., Spirit, 1971, color screenprint on wove paper, Corcoran Collection (Stovall Graphics, 1971), 2015.19.2515

Spirit

Lou Stovall, The Workshop, Inc. · 1971 · color screenprint on wove paper ·  Accession ID  2015.19.2515

The image shows an abstract composition with a large brown shape curving and tapering. It also displays a simplified figure at the top left with elongated limbs. On the right, there is a blue shape with fine lines that resembles an eye or a pointed leaf. These elements together create an abstract and intriguing visual narrative.
Carolyn Landon, Lou Stovall, The Workshop, Inc., Franz Kafka's Beast, 1971, color screenprint on wove paper, Corcoran Collection (Stovall Graphics, 1971), 2015.19.2513

Franz Kafka's Beast

Carolyn Landon, Lou Stovall, The Workshop, Inc. · 1971 · color screenprint on wove paper ·  Accession ID  2015.19.2513

Jacob Lawrence, Lou Stovall, Amistad Research Center, The Capture, 1987, color screenprint on wove paper, Gift of Alexander M. and Judith W. Laughlin, 1993.30.1

The Capture

Jacob Lawrence, Lou Stovall, Amistad Research Center · 1987 · color screenprint on wove paper ·  Accession ID  1993.30.1