An Introduction to Black Art in America
Black art is one of the main threads of the cultural tapestry of America and is part and parcel of the culture of the United States. The first black artists in America came to this country as slaves, putting their skills to work for the white slaveholders, making cabinetry, textiles, iron and silver goods and more. Among these African artists were some who painted portraits of the plantation owners, though this work didn't bring them fame until the emancipation, long after many of these artists had passed away.
There were a few African American artists who became known for their portraiture in the late 1700s. These artists were free men such as Boston's William Simpson, Philadelphia's Henry Reason and Julien Hudson from New Orleans. These painters created portraits of prominent persons both black and white in these cities.
While there were some talented African American artists making a living from their work in the 18th and 19th centuries, art schools were for the most part off limits to African Americans interested in an art career.
After the end of the Civil War, black artists started to have an easier time gaining acceptance from the public. Some of the black artists who achieved success in the 1865-1920 period included Nelson Primus,. Grafton Tyler Brown and Edmonia Lewis. Around 1900, some art schools began to open their doors to African American students, paving the way to careers as working artists for many. However, the public at the time was more interested in European or European influenced art than the work of American artists, especially African American artists.
Many African American artists who had the means to do so went to Europe; in Paris, Rome, Copenhagen and other cities they found an audience who were interested in the art itself, not the color of the artist''s skin.
In the early 1920?s, a movement called the Harlem Renaissance took place. This was a huge step in the right direction for the African American artists living in New York during that time. This is because they were finally starting to get some real respect and recognition for their artistic talents, right there in the United States. This was wonderful news to all black artists, but especially to those who hadn't been able to afford to go to Europe. From 1919 to around 1929, Harlem, New York was a real happening place to be for those who wanted to submerse themselves in the black arts. Many African American artists became very well known during this time. There were visual artists such as James Van Der Zee, Aaron Douglas, and Palmer Hayden. There were also many musical artists that played a huge role in the Harlem Renaissance such as Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington. There were also quite a few black poets and writers during this time who also enjoyed sharing their talent with the world.
William E. Harmon, a real estate tycoon with a strong belief in social justice and a lifelong belief in the power of art to transform culture started the Harmon Foundation in 1926. The foundation and Harmon himself promoted the work of black artists and exposed their work to a much wider audience, something which did indeed play a role in transforming the broader culture, just as Harmon had envisioned.
African American artists are as important a part of American culture today as they have always been, with artists creating work in every conceivable medium. From ballet to literature, composition to sculpture, conceptual art to photography, African American artists are an inseparable part of the American way of life and American culture and have now taken their rightful place in the public consciousness as creators of our nation's unique cultural heritage.