Artists of the Harlem Renaissance

1. Artists of the Harlem Renaissance http://www.art.com/products/p10118436-sa-i857560/jerry-butler-the-harlem-renaissance.htm?sorig=cat&sorigid=0&dimvals=24108-207226&ui=89be6eddb3954e188ceeec6875d45fe6 Study the following five artists through an example of their work and discuss with a partner

2. Palmer Hayden-Christmas Born in Widewater, VA in 1893, he moved to NY and started painting at the very beginning of the HR in 1919. Sometimes considered the father or founder of HR artwork. Painted in both oils and water colors. Artwork referred frequently to both African and American folklore, at times rendering black figures that, his critics claimed, played to racist stereotypes. “Presented ordinary people doing ordinary work with such vitality that it transcended all ethnic boundaries." http://www.encore-editions.com/ethnic-african-american-art-painting-reproduction-print-palmer-hayden-christmas-1939-57x34-inches-original-image-size

3. William H. Johnson-Burned Out Born in Florence, South Carolina, Johnson painted many scenes of the rural south even after moving to Harlem. The mediums used in many of his paintings, including this, are oil on wood. Paperboard and burlap were two other “canvases” he used with oils. Read more about Johnson: http://www.artcyclopedia.com/artists/johnson_william_h.html http://americanart.si.edu/images/1967/1967.59.610_1a.jpg

4. Jacob Lawrence-VIII:59. From the series Great Ideas of Western Man. Born in Atlantic City, New Jersey, Lawrence came to Harlem with his mother when he was three and painted during the depression. Much of his work contains symbolism and large themes. His mediums were tempera and gouache on paper and paperboard. Read more about Jacob Lawrence: http://www.artcyclopedia.com/artists/lawrence_jacob.html http://americanart.si.edu/images/1984/1984.124.171_1a.jpg

5. Romare Bearden-Spring Way Born in Charlotte, North Carolina, Bearden moved to New York with his family as a child. Although he didn’t begin painting until after the decline of the Harlem Renaissance, his childhood there influenced his work as an artist. His roots in the South and his commitment to portraying the every day life of African Americans are the themes in his work. His medium is collage on wood or paperboard and sometimes covered with lacquer. Read more about Bearden: http://www.artcyclopedia.com/artists/bearden_romare.html http://americanart.si.edu/images/1999/1999.9_1a.jpg

6. Aaron Douglas-Aspiration Douglas was born near Kansas City, Kansas. After teaching for a few years, he began studying illustrating and was encouraged to turn to African art for his inspiration. His medium was oil on canvas. Later, as a muralist, he was commissioned to paint a series of murals for Howard University, depicting the development of the African American heritage and culture. Read more about Douglas: http://www.artcyclopedia.com/artists/douglas_aaron.html http://www.si.umich.edu/CHICO/Harlem/text/adouglas_slide.html

7. Archibald Motley-Barbecue Although he never lived in Harlem, Motley became associated with the Harlem Renaissance after he became the first African American artist to have a solo exhibition in New York. Born in New Orleans and moving to Chicago, Motley also strove to depict the every day life of the African American culture. His medium was oil on canvas. Read more about Motley: http://www.artcyclopedia.com/artists/motley_archibald.html http://www.negroartist.com/negro%20artist/archibald%20motley/pages/Archibald%20Motley%20Barbecue,%201960_jpg.htm