Laura Wheeler, "Africa in America," cover, The Crisis, June, 1924.

Here the artist Laura Wheeler combines elements from many artistic traditions. The strong female figure echoes sculptures of Nefertiti found in Amarna style Egyptian art, and she wears adornments from other African traditions. Her diaphanous drape conceals nothing of her feminine curves and potential fertility. Behind her the ship sails across a swirling ocean symbolizing the harrowing Middle Passage from Africa to slavery in the Americas. Despite recognizing the painful past the figure is strong, beautiful, proud, a symbol of Africans brought to America against their will yet still proud to retain their rich African heritage.