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Learn about 14 famous African American artists who influenced and inspired American art's evolution, from Joshua Johnson to Bisa Butler. Discover their biographies, notable works, and themes related to their heritage and experiences.
The works of American artists Glenn Ligon and Dread Scott reference signs that Black sanitation workers in Memphis carried while on strike in 1968. Ligon’s 1988 painting harnesses the power of the text from those signs: "I AM A MAN.” (The words are a variant of “I am an invisible man,” the first line of prologue in Ralph Ellison’s book Invisible Man.) Ligon changed the structure ...
Witness the enduring mark Black artists have made on American art through more than two centuries of Black art in our collection — from 19th century painters Joshua Johnson and Robert Seldon Duncanson to modern and contemporary artists Faith Ringgold , Alma Thomas , Romare Bearden , Kara Walker, and more. On this page: Selected Works ...
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- Robert Seldon Duncanson (1821-1872) Robert S. Duncanson was a landscape painter whose work frequently depicted rivers and lakes against glowing, golden sunsets.
- Edmonia Lewis (1844-1907) Also known by her Native American name, Wildfire, Mary Edmonia Lewis was the first professional African American and Native American sculptor.
- Henry Ossawa Tanner (1859-1937) Henry Ossawa Tanner was born in Pennsylvania to a bishop and abolitionist father, and lived near artist Robert Douglass Jr.
- James Van Der Zee (1886-1983) Photographer James Van Der Zee was born in Massachusetts and early on displayed keen musical talent, although by his teenage years he had also built a darkroom in his parent’s house.
Discover the contributions of Black artists to American art history and culture through self-portraits and other works in the Smithsonian's collections. See examples of paintings, sculptures, and prints by artists such as Alma Thomas, William H. Johnson, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and more.
Feb 1, 2023 · Feb 1, 2023 2:06PM. In honor of Black History Month, Artsy is featuring the work of 28 Black artists who are not as widely known or celebrated as some of their historical or contemporary peers.
Explore the collection of works by African American artists in various media and styles at SAAM. See portraits, sculptures, photographs, and more that reflect the themes and history of the African American experience.
