The Harlem Renaissance Artists

By: Danny, Gina, Ji Young, Min Sik

Introduction

The Harlem Renaissance was an expression of

African-American social thought and culture

that resulted from the Great Migration.

Writers, artists, and musicians began to

produce highly original works dealing with

African- American life.

Aaron Douglas (1898 - 1979) He was a Harlem

Renaissance artist who best exemplified the ‘New Negro’ philosophy.

He painted murals for public buildings and produced illustrations and cover designs for black publications.

In 1940, he moved to Tennessee and founded the Art Department at Fisk University.

(Spencer Museum of Art)

Douglas’ “Song of The Towers”

Douglas depicts three

figures each portraying a

facet of the black

experience: escape of

former slavery,

economic hardships, and

new opportunities art

and music offer to

blacks.

(The New York Times)

Douglas’ “Building More Stately Mansions”

This symbolizes the

labor of black people

in building great

monuments.

It silhouettes their

shapes against

idealistic background.

(Spencer Museum of Art)

William H. Johnson (1901-1970)

Johnson moved to New

York at the age of

seventeen and received art

education at the National

Academy of Design.

He used both Harlem,

South Carolina, and folk

style of paintings to show

how tradition is linked to

change in Harlem.

(Smithsonian American Art Museum, Harmon Foundation)

Johnson’s “Café”

This affectionate couple

has the fashionable

flash of zoot-suiters in

the big band era.

The tangle of the legs

and limbs hints at the

erotic energy of the

night.

(Smithsonian American Art Museum)

Johnson’s “Going to Church”

Johnson indicates the

importance of church

in the lives of the

African-Americans.

He drew this in his

personal belief that

religion is rooted in

church and community.

(Smithsonian American Art Museum)

Palmer Hayden (1890-1973) Peyton Cole Hedgeman was

given the name Palmer Hayden

by his commanding sergeant

during WWI.

Hayden, an African American

painter as well as a used oils

and water colors to depict

American life.

Because he was influenced by

African folklore economic

hardships, he especially tried to

capture both rural life in the

South and the urban

background of New York City.

(Smithsonian American Art Museum)

Hayden’s “Jeunesse”

J Hayden depicts

the high energy of

the dancers and

also indicates the

importance of

jazz music.

The Encyclopedia of the African and African American Experiences,

Oxford University Press

Hayden’s “The Janitor Who Paints”

Hayden experienced the

economic hardships of

many black artists.

This has often been

interpreted as both a self

portrait and a statement on

an adversity.

(Cartography Associates)

“Old Snuff Dipper”- 1928

Motley depicts a

working class

southern woman.

This illustrates the

realistic style Motley

employed during the

early years of his

career.

(African American Art and

Artists, Samella S. Lewis)

“Black Belt”- 1929

This painting depicts

the African American

night life in Chicago,

Bronzeville.

(African American Art

and Artists, Samella S.

Lewis)

Louis Mailou Jones (1905-1998)

Teacher, book

illustrator, and textile

designer, Jones

received inspiration

from African themes

for her art pieces.

She was also married

to a prominent Haitian

artist, Louis Vergniaud

Pierre-Noel.

(The New York Times)

Jones’ “The Green Apples”

Considered one of her

favorite Paris

paintings.

Although very simple,

this artwork exhibits

the “true feeling of

Paris”.

(The New York Times)

Jones’ “Water Carrier”�

Jones depicts

Haitian children

carrying water.

This also shows how

Haiti influenced her

drawings.

(The New York Times)

In a Nutshell…

Many Harlem

Renaissance artists

portrayed the great

difficulties many

African-Americans

faced during their

transition from the south

to the north.

Bibliography University of Kansas. Spencer Museum of Art. “Aaron Douglas:

African American Modernist.” 2 December 2007. Online.http://www.aarondouglas.ku.edu/exhibition/about.shtml

Ken Johnson. “Black in America, Painted Euphoric and Heroic.” New York Times. 11 September 2008. Online. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/12/arts/design/12doug.html

Smithsonian American Art Museum. Harlem Foundation. “Café”. 2006. Online. http://americanart.si.edu/collections/search/artwork/?id=11583

The Encyclopedia of Chicago, Chicago Historical Society. “Archibald Motley Junior”. Jontyle Theresa Robinson. Chicago, Illinois. 2006. Print.

African American Art and Artists, Samella S. Lewis. 1998. Print.

Whitney Museum of American Art. “Jacob Lawrence.” 5 April 2000. Online. http://www.whitney.org/Collection/JacobLawrence

Smithsonian American Art Museum. Sara Roby Foundation. “Jacob Lawrence.” 8 May 2001. Online. http://americanart.si.edu/collections/search/artwork/?id=14376

Holland Cotter. “Louis Mailou Jones, 92, Painter and Teacher.” 13 June 1998. Online. http://www.nytimes.com/1998/06/13/arts/lois-mailou-jones-92-painter-and-teacher.html?pagewanted=1