Emerging out of the Chicago black arts movement, Charles Sebree was an immensely versatile and multifaceted visual artist who also distinguished himself as a set designer, costume designer, dancer, and playwright. Charles Sebree's best known work are his paintings of harlequins and saltimbanques; his most characteristic "signature" are the soulful and communicative eyes of his subjects. Eluding categorization, Sebree's paintings, which reveal influence of Picasso, Modilgliani, Klee, Kandinski, and Russian icons, exude an extraordinary iconic, archetypal power.

Unfortunately, during Sebree's lifetime, his art did not receive the recognition it deserved. In fact, not much was known about Sebree's career and lif...