Blue Monday
- Open Edition
- Offset Lithograph
- Measures 23.125x17.625 inches (paper size) and 21x16.125 inches (image size)
- One of Annie Lee's most popular works of art.
- A classic and timeless work of art by Annie Lee.
Annie Lee's "Blue Monday" was one of her most iconic works, depicting a weary Black woman hunched over her washing basin on Monday morning. The painting resonated deeply with African American audiences who recognized this scene of domestic labor, drawing from Lee's own experiences as a single mother who worked multiple jobs to support her family. The artwork's emotional authenticity and relatable subject matter helped establish Lee as a significant voice in African American art.
Lee created "Blue Monday" while working as a chief clerk for the Chicago Northwestern Railroad, where she spent 23 years before pursuing art full-time. The painting's success led to widespread reproductions and helped launch her career as a professional artist, enabling her to open her own gallery and art company. Though she had no formal art training, Lee's ability to capture everyday moments in Black life with dignity and humor made "Blue Monday" and her subsequent works highly sought, particularly among middle-class African American collectors.
Lee's work was categorized as "Black Americana" because it documented and celebrated authentic aspects of African American life and culture, particularly from the mid-to-late 20th century. Her paintings captured the genuine experiences, traditions, and daily rituals of Black Americans, preserving these moments as historical artifacts that spoke to the Black community's struggles and resilience. Unlike earlier problematic "Americana" depictions of Black life, Lee's work presented these scenes from an insider's perspective, with dignity, understanding, and often touches of knowing humor that resonated deeply with Black audiences while also educating wider audiences about authentic African American experiences.
This work of art is available framed or unframed. The framed version ships framed and ready to hang in a black 2-inch frame. Perfect for any fan of African American art or the late great Annie Lee.
Unframed: 23.125x17.625 inches (paper size) - 21x16.125 inches (image size) - $48.00
Framed: 26 x 21.125 inches (framed size) - 21x16.125 Inches (image size) - $104.99
| Edition | Open Edition |
| Framed | Unframed |
| Height | 23.125 inches |
| Length | 17.62 inches |
| Medium | Paper |
| Signed | Unsigned |
| SKU | lee-bluemonday |
Annie Lee
Ever since taking the art world by storm during her first gallery show in 1985 at the age of 50, where her artwork sold out in just four hours, Annie Lee has been a central and celebrated figure in the world of art. Her style was labeled by art commentators as "Black Americana" due to her use of scenes of everyday African American life, the animated emotion of the personalities and two-dimensional figures. Another recognizable and trademark aspect of her is art is the fact that her subjects were often faceless.Most in stock items ship in 0 to 5 business depending upon the shipping method selected during checkout. Large framed artwork requires an additional 1 to 5 days of processing time to allow for framing. All orders over $250 ship signature required. Pre-Orders, identified by a “Reserve Now” checkout button, can take 3 to 14 business days to process and ship. If there is an issue with your order we will notify you with 1 to 2 business days. For additional information please visit our: Shipping Policy
