Late in his career, Bearden created two autobiographical narratives. Spurred by a lengthy profile about his life and work, published in 1977 in the New Yorker, Bearden's own "profile" series portrayed scenes from his early years. "Profile/ Part I: The Twenties" offers memories of Mecklenburg County and Pittsburgh, although Bearden was based in Harlem in the 1920s, and "Profile/Part II: The Thirties" focuses on New York.

Collage of various papers with fabric, foil, tape, paint and graphite on fiberboard.
Glen and Lynn Tobias
© Romare Bearden Foundation/Licensed by VAGA, New York, N.Y.

Source: National Gallery of Art, exhibition wall text