Renowned Artist Bob Freeman Finds Belonging With Healey

Governor Maura Healey ’98 has selected “Black Tie,” an oil painting by Robert Freeman, to hang in her office. The painting depicts Black Americans at a social gathering during racial segregation when Black people had to create a space for themselves in society. It was inspired by a time when Freeman and his wife, Bettye Freeman ’91, who later served as assistant dean for academic and student affairs at Northeastern Law for 20 years, went to a dinner party when they were in their twenties.

12.11.23 — In 1981, painter Robert Freeman painted “Black Tie” as part of a series of oil paintings called “The Social Series” to highlight the Black middle class. The painting depicts Black Americans at a social gathering during racial segregation when Black people had to create a space for themselves in society. The characters are shown directing their gaze at the viewer, which Freeman did with the purpose of engaging the viewer in a dialogue about belonging.

Freeman said the scene he painted was inspired by a time when he and his wife, Bettye Freeman ’91, who later served as assistant dean for academic and student affairs at Northeastern Law for 20 years, went to a dinner party when they were in their twenties. They arrived to the dinner party late and everyone in the room turned their heads and looked at them as if to ask, “do you belong here?” Freeman said, who noted that Bettye was his model for the woman at the right front of the painting.

The answer to that question may have lingered in the air more than 40 years ago, but with the selection of “Black Tie” by Governor Maura Healey ’98 to hang in her office, there’s no question that this internationally renowned artist is no longer on the outside. More importantly, Freeman told The Boston Globe, “If people see pictures of themselves in the State House, their comfort level will be higher. It makes a statement to other areas of government that should be doing the same things.”

“When people walk into the Governor’s office, I want them to feel seen, represented and empowered,” said Healey, who has the painting on loan from the Museum of Fine Arts. “An important way to do this is by hanging artwork that is representative of the diverse Massachusetts experience.”

About Northeastern University School of Law

The nation’s leader in experiential legal education since 1968, Northeastern University School of Law offers the longest-running, most extensive experience-based legal education program in the country. Northeastern guarantees its students unparalleled practical legal work experiences through its signature Cooperative Legal Education Program. More than 1,000 employers worldwide in a wide range of legal, government, nonprofit and business organizations participate in the program. With a focus on social justice and innovation, Northeastern University School of Law blends theory and practice, providing students with a unique set of skills and experiences to successfully practice law.

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