Not Your Average Number: An Art Review of Bart Cooper's 42

Photo Source: Purple Series

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Whether one would call themself a sports fanatic or not, the majority of Americans would agree that they have heard the name, “Jackie Robinson,” at least a time or two (or a hundred.) However, not everyone is familiar with the Negro Leagues, the organization that kicked off Robinson’s career, formed by Andrew “Rube” Foster, in 1920.

In favor of talented African American players imprinting their mark on a grander scale of baseball, Foster, formerly associated with the Chicago American Giants, ingeniously birthed a playground for the ballgame enthusiasts.

Jackie Robinson was not the only Black player to endure bigotry and detestation from those opposing humanity and equality. However, the immense value he brought to his role as a shortstop for the Kansas City Monarchs led him to become the first black player to reach the major leagues, following the enforcement of Jim Crow Laws.

To commemorate the Negro League’s 100th year celebration, and as a grassroots campaign, the Negro League Baseball Museum developed the Negro League Baseball Marketplace. This site is dedicated as “an evolving collaboration between a global arts & small business community” (Stewart and Richardson).

Artists from all around the world create and feature their Negro League specific pieces on the site and generously gift a portion of their proceeds to the museum. One of the artworks that immediately jump off the webpage as viewers scrolls through the various baseball stylistic pieces, is a powerful painting featuring the groundbreaking ball player.

Bart Cooper's painting, 42, commands the attention from art and baseball lovers, alike, by combining purple hues and colorful splatters. These elements symbolize Jackie Robinson's noble, royal, and mighty persona and the impactful and everlasting contributions he made to the world.

Not only does his artwork honor Robinson and all those who broke down barriers in the realm of baseball, but it acts as a successful tribute to his upbringing and the vibrant culture of his homeland, Liberia, West Africa.

At first glance, the image of Jackie appears to be no more than that—just another picture of a famous athlete. Although, the more the audience studies it, they begin to ponder and eventually comprehend how much effort Cooper deposited into his reimagining of Robinson.

On a mission to escape Liberia’s civil war and to offer Bart more chances to hone his craft, his mother relocated their family to Pennsylvania. Despite this exodus, he carried his love and admiration for the beauty he witnessed in West Africa throughout his life (Cooper).

Naturally, the artist incorporates color, texture, and depth into his painting, which symbolically showcases both the liveliness found back in Liberia and the pain he experienced from war related turmoil.

It equally matches the tone of Jackie Robinson’s life, as he, of course, reached many milestones and transcended across the baseball color line. He also sacrificed and bore a great amount of injustice and emotional and physical torment.

To accurately pinpoint the techniques and elements utilized to bring it to life, this piece deserves the same amount of attention that the artist put into it.

One can easily determine the open-endedness of the artwork and read the vulnerability found in Robinson’s facial expression.

Yes, unfortunately, America has been known to be a breeding ground for hatred and systemic racism. Even still, the African Americans of today’s time owe our lives to our ancestors, including this ineffable ball player, as they each carried troubling burdens on their shoulders, day in and day out.

Not only did this leave them with deep rooted scars, but it resulted in the burning desire to be free of demoralization and dehumanization.

Now, take a closer look. Do not be dismayed. As the viewer peers into Jackie’s eyes, they notice the fire is still lit in them, proving his tenacity, grit, and unbreakable spirit.

Although he knows he’s only one out of hundreds of skilled Black men who’ve mastered the game of baseball, his eyes show he is dedicated to greatness. He stands proud as a tribute to his fellow Black players.

Bart Cooper’s painting of Jackie Robinson is a piece from his Purple Series collection. He speaks to the pure genius and innovation of his artistry explaining, “The splatter of colors is a depiction of the individual leaving his or her mark in this world, making it a more colorful place” (Cooper).

Though Robinson underwent a ton of pain, he also lived to reach many milestones and accomplishments.

To name just a few of these, he excelled in his scholastic years, inspiring his peers and kids to prioritize their education. He transitioned into a major league career with the Brooklyn Dodgers and led the team to six World Series and one World Series Championship. He participated in the NAACP as a board of directors member from 1957 to 1967. Also, he got inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962 (The Official Licensing Website of Jackie Robinson).

Colors all define certain aspects of life and invoke specific emotions into the

person interpreting them. So, the artist’s creative decision to use a multitude of them showcases how he perceives Jackie’s ups and downs in life.

After reviewing this painting, it is also clear that Cooper admires Jackie and can relate to both his trials and tribulations and times of joy.

Even though Jackie Robinson and Bart Cooper were raised in contrasting geographical locations, in two varying eras, their willingness to overcome and persevere with an “all is well” mentality links their identities together.

For this reason alone, Cooper effortlessly channels this connection between the two of them in his painting of Jackie Robinson. This vulberability deeply resonates with viewers of the artwork.

42 illustrates both the vitality and times of desperation this Negro League player embodies, and it is a beautiful testament to the artist’s West African heritage.

I highly encourage you to browse through Cooper's other works.

After reviewing this piece and others, is there anything new you can identify that stands out about this painting? Let's discuss these observations in the comments!

Works Cited:

Stewart, Travis, and Tad Richardson. Negro League Baseball Marketplace, Negro League Baseball Museum, https://nlbmart.com. Accessed 25 April 2021.

Cooper, Barthelomew. Bart Cooper Art, www.bartcooperart.com/about. Accessed 03 May 2021. Cooper, Barthelomew. Bart Cooper Art, https://www.bartcooperart.com/art-work. Accessed 03 May 2021.

The Official Licensing Website of Jackie Robinson, CMG Worldwide, 7 Jan. 2021,www.jackierobinson.com/achievements/. Accessed 03 May 2021.