Jamaican Girl, ca. 1956-60

Dod Procter RA (1891 - 1972)

RA Collection: Art

Procter travelled widely, and had already visited Asia, Africa and North America before she began regularly visiting Jamaica during the 1950s. She painted many portraits of Jamaican children during her stays, including this portrait which the RA purchased after it was shown in the 1960 Summer Exhibition.

Procter painted Jamaican Girl in the late 1950s, at a time of increased tensions surrounding the growing black presence in Britain and increasing momentum towards Jamaican independence. None of this, however, is registered in the pensive face of Jamaican Girl.