In Other Folk's Homes, from The Black Woman (formerly The Negro Woman) (published 1946-47)

In this stark linocut, a woman stands in profile, her head bowed and hands clasped, conveying a profound sense of resignation. The simplified forms and strong lines characteristic of linocut printing emphasize the emotional weight of her posture. She is depicted in an apron, suggesting domestic labor, and the title, "In Other Folk's Homes," places her within the context of countless Black women who worked in service industries. This print is part of Elizabeth Catlett's powerful series, "The Black Woman" (originally titled "The Negro Woman"), which she began in 1946. The series celebrates the strength and resilience of Black women while also acknowledging the struggles they faced, from labor to motherhood to activism. Catlett made this work shortly after receiving a fellowship that allowed her to travel to Mexico, where she would eventually settle and join the Taller de Gráfica Popular, a workshop dedicated to art with social themes.