Reclining Male
- Generous Display Size: With an image size of 20 x 31⅜ inches, Reclining Male commands attention on any wall, offering the visual presence and horizontal sweep that gives Armstrong's figurative work its characteristic power and impact.
- Limited Edition, Signed, Numbered and Certified: This print is part of a limited edition of 950 and arrives signed by the artist, individually numbered, and accompanied by a certificate of authenticity, everything a serious collector needs to confirm provenance and value.
- A Rare Celebration of Black Masculinity: Armstrong reimagines the Black male figure in a state of rest and quiet dignity, offering a perspective rarely seen in Western art traditions and making this print a culturally meaningful acquisition for any collection.
- Signature Afrocentric Cubist Style: Bold continuous contour lines, warm earth tones, and a richly textured background reflect Armstrong's mastery of Realism, Cubism, and Afrocentric Iconography, placing this work in conversation with the traditions of Aaron Douglas and Romare Bearden.
- Perfect as a Companion Piece: Reclining Male pairs beautifully with Reclining Female as a matching set, making both prints an ideal choice for collectors seeking cohesive, culturally resonant works to anchor a room or gallery wall.
Rest, in the hands of Anthony Armstrong, becomes an act of quiet power. In Reclining Male, the artist turns his attention to the Black male figure, a subject so often depicted in tension or motion in American art, and renders him in a state of complete stillness and self-possession. The result is an image that feels both intimate and monumental.The figure reclines, knees
drawn to his chest, his head cradled in his arms, his eyes closed or downcast in a moment of private reflection. Bold, fluid black contour lines travel continuously across his form, overlapping and intersecting in the Cubist tradition Armstrong embraced throughout his career. The body is constructed from warm, richly layered earth tones, sienna, terracotta, rose, and amber, set against a speckled, luminous background where traces of blue, green, and gold shimmer like light caught on an ancient wall. The textural depth of the background gives the composition a painterly warmth that draws the eye back again and again.
Armstrong described his artistic philosophy as an extension of the legacies of Aaron Douglas, Romare Bearden, and Pablo Picasso. He worked at the intersection of Realism, Cubism, and Afrocentric Iconography, driven by a lifelong commitment to creating images that reflected the full humanity of African American people. Where so much of the Western art canon either ignored or distorted the Black male body, Armstrong reclaimed it with tenderness and dignity.
Reclining Male pairs naturally with Reclining Female as a companion piece, and together they form a meditation on rest, wholeness, and the quiet strength found in simply being. Displayed individually or as a pair, each print carries its own emotional weight and visual resonance.
This limited edition of 950 is printed as an offset lithograph on paper, delivering the warmth and textural complexity of Armstrong's original with exceptional fidelity. At 20 x 31⅜ inches, the image commands a wall with the kind of understated authority that defines Armstrong's best work.
| Cert. Of Authenticity | Ships with a Certificate of Authenticity from the artist. |
| Edition | Limited Edition |
| Edition Size | 950 pieces |
| Framed | Unframed |
| Height | 20 inches |
| Length | 31 3/8 inches |
| Medium | Paper |
| Signed | Signed and Numbered by the Artist |
| SKU | armstrong-recliningmale |
Anthony Armstrong
Anthony Armstrong was born on October 22, 1953, and began his artistic journey at age seven when his stepfather gave him his first set of colored pencils. He served in the U.S. Navy before pursuing formal training, earning an Associate of Arts Degree in Print Management from the University of the District of Columbia and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Philadelphia University of the Arts. Armstrong passed away on February 4, 2020, leaving behind a body of work that continues to educate, inspire, and move all who encounter it. In Armstrong's own words: "In the tradition of artists such as Aaron Douglas, Romare Bearden, and Pablo Picasso, I continue to interpret Realism, Cubism, and Afrocentric Iconography. I strive to create images inspired by African American people whose real-life experiences are echoed in those images, which African American people can relate to directly, with or without formal art training."Limited edition artwork ships in 0 to 14 business days depending upon the artwork, artist and medium. All limited editions ship signed and numbered and with a certificate of authenticity from the artist. When a limited edition work of art is purchased a member of our team will contact you within 1 to 3 business days to provide you with a shipping timeline. Some limited editions are not eligible for expedited shipping. For additional information please visit our: Special Note About Limited Editions
