Portrait of Madame Lillian Evanti

Going abroad to succeed

Annie Lillian Evans (1890–1967) began singing in her early teens in Washington, D.C., honing her talent at community events with the goal of performing classical grand opera. Becasue of racial barriers, she decided that Europe offered more opportunities: “I’m going to learn to sing professionally under the best vocal teacher in Paris, then come back here and show what I can do.” Known as Madame Evanti, in 1925 she became the first African American to sing with a European opera company.

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Portrait of Lillian Evans Tibbs Evanti

Artist: P. H. Polk, born Bessemer, AL 1898-died Tuskegee, AL 1984
Sitter: Lillian Evans Tibbs; Madame Lillian Evanti

Exhibition Label: A stately Russian wolfhound recruited for this portrait accentuates the poise and glamour of Lillian Evans Tibbs. Known professionally as Madame Evanti, this Washington native was an internationally acclaimed lyric soprano and the first African American to sing with the Paris Opera. P.H. Polk treated his clients as collaborators, claiming, “If you can’t touch a person in some way, you don’t get a good picture.” His portrait of Lillian Evans Tibbs was designed to reveal her personality, rather than to promote her celebrity status.; A Democracy of Images: Photographs from the Smithsonian American Art Museum, 2013

Credit Line: Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Thurlow Evans Tibbs, Jr.

1937

Object number: 1994.61

Restrictions & Rights: Usage conditions apply

Type: Photography-Photoprint

Medium: gelatin silver print
Dimensions: image: 10 3/8 x 8 in. (26.4 x 20.3 cm) sheet: 13 1/2 x 10 1/2 in. (34.3 x 26.7 cm)

Department: Graphic Arts

Smithsonian American Art Museum

Topic: Ethnic\African-American; Dress\accessory\hat; Performing arts\music\voice; Portrait female\full length; Portrait female\full length; Animal\dog\borzoi

Record ID: saam_1994.61

Usage of Metadata (Object Detail Text): Not determined

GUID (Link to Original Record): http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/vk76b77e974-9171-42f1-826d-bd996ed99a4a

Portrait of Madame Lillian Evanti

Going abroad to succeed

Portrait of Lillian Evans Tibbs Evanti

Discover Her Story