"Lucille Armstrong"
Title
"Lucille Armstrong"
Title
Samuel Countee 's portrait of Lucille Armstrong
Holding Institution
Creator
Samuel Countee
Date Created
n.d.
Format
painting
REDC Region
Notes
Born in the Bronx, Lucille Wilson Armstrong was one of the first dark-skinned dancers to be featured in recognized New York City venues, such as the Alhambra and the Cotton Club. When Lucille married Louis, it was her priority to find a home for them. With her own savings, she purchased their Corona Home in 1943. After Armstrong’s death, Lucille devoted herself to preserving and promoting his legacy; in addition to leading civic endeavors that benefited her beloved Corona community.
Samuel Albert Countee emerged as one of the nation’s most inspiring young artists of the 1930s. He is considered as one of the main contributors to the national New Negro Movement, asking the world to reconsider existing generalizations about African Americans. Largely influenced by the Harlem Renaissance, Countee’s visual art displayed a heartfelt passion for African-American self-reliance, sensuality, and spirituality. After serving in the US Army, Samuel settled in Long Island, New York, where he spent the rest of his life.
The Countee painting of Lucille Armstrong is one of the first objects guests encounter as they enter the Armstrong home. It is a major focal point of the living room, the first room on the tour. Alongside audio recordings, the painting helps illustrate the story of Lucille, a Black artist who bought a home with her own money in the 1940’s and shared it with her husband – America’s first Black popular music megastar. Her efforts throughout the borough of Queens to promote Louis Armstrong’s legacy set the stage for an enduring story of Black artistic excellence that the Louis Armstrong House Museum is charged with sharing today
Samuel Albert Countee emerged as one of the nation’s most inspiring young artists of the 1930s. He is considered as one of the main contributors to the national New Negro Movement, asking the world to reconsider existing generalizations about African Americans. Largely influenced by the Harlem Renaissance, Countee’s visual art displayed a heartfelt passion for African-American self-reliance, sensuality, and spirituality. After serving in the US Army, Samuel settled in Long Island, New York, where he spent the rest of his life.
The Countee painting of Lucille Armstrong is one of the first objects guests encounter as they enter the Armstrong home. It is a major focal point of the living room, the first room on the tour. Alongside audio recordings, the painting helps illustrate the story of Lucille, a Black artist who bought a home with her own money in the 1940’s and shared it with her husband – America’s first Black popular music megastar. Her efforts throughout the borough of Queens to promote Louis Armstrong’s legacy set the stage for an enduring story of Black artistic excellence that the Louis Armstrong House Museum is charged with sharing today
Citation
“"Lucille Armstrong",” Flipping The Narrative, accessed February 10, 2025, https://flippingthenarrative.omeka.net/items/show/11.