Romare Bearden’s Hand-Drawn Map of Paris is a rare glimpse into the artist’s relationship with the city that shaped his artistic evolution. The sketch highlights essential Parisian landmarks, including the Luxembourg Gardens, Île Saint-Louis, the Right and Left Banks, and Montparnasse, all of which were significant in Bearden’s time in postwar Paris. The map reflects Bearden’s keen observational eye and his engagement with the geography of Paris, a city that profoundly influenced his approach to storytelling in art. The inclusion of locations such as the Sainte Prison and the Garden of the Tuileries suggests a blend of historical awareness and personal navigation, perhaps mapping out spaces he frequented or found significant.

Bearden’s time in Paris in the 1950s introduced him to modernist movements, African and Caribbean intellectual circles, and expatriate Black artists, reinforcing his transatlantic artistic identity. This hand-drawn map serves as a visual archive of his Parisian experience, offering insight into how he navigated and engaged with the city’s cultural and artistic landscape.