b. ca. 1853, d. 1949. Self-taught artist Bill Traylor was born into slavery on a plantation in Alabama. At age 85, by then freed but financially struggling, Traylor began drawing and painting on discarded materials like cardboard and ripped paper found on the streets of Montgomery, Alabama. Traylor’s artistic style is distinguished by bold lines, intense color, and simplified imagery. For his subjects Traylor relied on his memories of plantation life and daily observations to create intimate ruminations on class and race; people and animals were recurring themes. Traylor’s artistic significance continues to grow with further art historical evaluation of his work, placing him firmly among the major contributors of twentieth century American art.

– Naseer Haynes Alvarez, from the Glenstone Field Guide