LibGuides: Library Gallery: Black History (Spring 25)

Horace Pippin

Horace Pippin, born in 1888 in West Chester, Pennsylvania, rose from humble beginnings as a grandson of slaves to become a prominent figure in the folk art revival of the 1930s. Despite a severe injury in World War I that left his right arm permanently disabled, Pippin began his artistic career by painting on cigar boxes and later turned to pyrography and oil painting. His unique, self-taught style—characterized by expressive color use and a powerful design sense—captured the attention of influential figures like N. C. Wyeth and collector Albert Coombs Barnes. Pippin’s work, which included genre scenes, portraits, and historical paintings, gained national prominence through exhibitions, notably one organized by the Museum of Modern Art in 1938. He continued to produce and exhibit widely until his death in 1946, leaving behind a legacy that celebrated African American experiences and confronted social issues through a distinctly modern and personal lens.

Biography summary - https://www.nga.gov/collection/artist-info.25.html

Horace Pippin - Self Portrait II

Harriet Powers

Harriet Powers, an African American farm woman from Clarke County, Georgia, crafted a unique quilt in 1886 that showcased original designs and biblical scenes, a rarity in the traditional quilt-making of her time. Her quilt caught the eye of Jennie Smith, an artist, at the Athens Cotton Fair the same year. Despite initial financial constraints preventing Smith from purchasing it, the quilt was later sold to her for five dollars during a challenging financial period for Powers. The quilt, which combines both hand and machine stitching, features detailed panels depicting various biblical stories from Adam and Eve to the Holy Family. This piece highlights Powers' artistic ability and her deep connection to spiritual themes, which resonated with Smith's appreciation for its bold and impressionistic style. Harriet Powers, born into slavery in 1837, went on to marry and acquire land post-Civil War, reflecting a journey of resilience and creative expression until her death in 1910.

Biography summary - https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/object/nmah_556462

Harriet Powers - Pictorial Quilt

Aaron Douglas

Aaron Douglas (1899-1979), a pivotal figure in the Harlem Renaissance, was born in Topeka, Kansas, and moved to Harlem in 1924, influenced by the vibrant cultural movement depicted in influential periodicals like The Crisis and Opportunity. Douglas was integral to defining the visual language of the New Negro movement, blending African art influences with European modernism to create a distinct style that became synonymous with the Harlem Renaissance. His career flourished with notable projects such as illustrating James Weldon Johnson's "God’s Trombones: Seven Negro Sermons in Verse" and creating murals for institutions like Fisk University. Douglas's work extended beyond his art; he served as an art critic, a professor, and eventually, chairman of the Art Department at Fisk University, mentoring generations of artists until his retirement in 1966. After returning to his hometown for a retrospective exhibition in 1970, he passed away in 1979 in Nashville.

Biography summary - https://www.nga.gov/collection/artist-info.38654.html

Aaron Douglas - from series, Aspects of Negro Life

Henry Ossawa Tanner

Henry Ossawa Tanner, born in Pittsburgh in 1859 to parents deeply rooted in the abolitionist movement, became a pioneering African American artist. After studying at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts under Thomas Eakins, Tanner struggled with a photography business in Atlanta before moving to Paris in 1891 to study at the Académie Julian. His early work in the U.S. focused on African American subjects, exemplified by "The Banjo Lesson," but after settling in Paris, he shifted towards the biblical scenes that would define his career. His "Resurrection of Lazarus" garnered significant acclaim, including acquisition by the French government. Despite his expatriate status, Tanner maintained ties to the U.S., engaging with civil rights issues and contributing to the NAACP. His achievements included election to the National Academy of Design and recognition as a chevalier of the French Legion of Honor, though his later years were marked by decreased artistic output and recognition until his death in Paris in 1937.