Ms. Burns was a Suffragist leader who was imprisoned at the Occoquan Workhouse during the “Night of Terror.” Police arrested her and other Suffragists for quietly standing in front of the White House with protest signs. While at the Occoquan Workhouse, these women were forced to strip , walk down a long hallway and take a shower. This painting shows Lucy Burns in a state of undress. Bats with eyes represent the lack of privacy during this event.

Lucy Burns
Encaustic with vintage buttons, scrub brushes, and latex tubing on birch wood panel
30” x 44”
2011

This painting tells the story of the Lucy Burns. She was a suffragist leader and close friend of Alice Paul. Their personalities complimented each other. Where Alice Paul was know as a militant, Lucy Burns was known as the diplomat. Alice Paul was physically small and frail; Lucy Burns, tall and curvaceous.
Alice Paul did not know fear. Lucy Burns had her doubts…She once admitted .."I am so nervous I cannot eat or sleep. I am such a coward I ought to be a village seamstress, instead of a Woman's Party organizer."

This painting depicts Suffragist Lucy Burns during the “Night of Terror” at the Occoquan Prison on November 14, 1917. During the Night of Terror, suffragists were arrested, driven to the Occoquan Workhouse, forced to strip and shower, tossed into metal beds and thrown to the floor. Lucy Burns, while taking a roll call of the women here, angered the prison guards. They stripped her of all clothing and then handcuffed her with her hands above her head until the next morning.

In this painting, Lucy Burns is in a state of undress. The eyes that surround her speak to the lack of privacy she experienced. The prison looms in the background.