“This is a fitting acquisition of an exquisite photograph of the iconic literary and cultural figure who was truly a ‘phenomenal woman.'” —Joanne Braxton, Frances L. & Edwin L. Cummings Professor of the Humanities and English at William & Mary
In 2015, the Muscarelle Museum of Art at William & Mary acquired a photograph of writer Maya Angelou by Jeanne Moutoussamy-Ashe at auction. The hand-colored, black-and-white silver gelatin print had been in Angelou’s possession and was one of 44 lots from her extensive art collection that was available. The $17,500 winning bid set a record for Moutoussamy-Ashe’s work at auction.