In The Baptism, Romare Bearden brings to life one of the most sacred rituals in African-American spiritual life—a baptism in the river. Rendered in silkscreen with bold forms and radiant color, this 1976 work centers on a communal celebration of rebirth and belonging. Figures gather waist-deep in shimmering water, hands reaching toward the central figure in prayer. Their closeness conveys warmth, reverence, and a collective affirmation of new life.

The piece is both spiritual and social. While the act of baptism marks individual transformation, Bearden presents it as a shared rite—an echo of ancestral traditions and a cornerstone of Black community. Created during a period when Bearden’s work increasingly emphasized ritual and memory, The Baptism stands as an emblem of his lifelong commitment to portraying African-American life not only in struggle, but in joy, dignity, and renewal.