2. Henry Ossawa Tanner
Banjo Lesson
1893
Oil on canvas
In 1983 Henry Ossawa Tanner painted his most notable and famous
work in Philadelphia. He was inspired to paint this piece when his
teacher encouraged him to paint scenes from everyday life.
This painting depicts an elderly black man teaching a young boy how to
play the banjo. The warm colors depict the strong emotions that are
engulfed in this painting.
3. Henry Ossawa Tanner
The Thankful Poor
1894
Oil on canvas
The Thankful Poor depicts an elderly man and a young
boy being thankful for the food that they have on the
table. Tanner again goes for a more realistic approach in
this painting. Tanner uses great detail on the lighting
and colors to convey a spiritual sense of imagery. Tanner
shows true emotion in both the old man and the boy
through this piece.
4. Henry Ossawa Tanner
Fishermen at Sea
1913
Oil on canvas
Many of Tanner's works had religious themes incorporated in them, and
this is no exception. This painting is depicted from a passage from the
Book of Matthew. "But the ship was now in the midst of the sea,
tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary" (Matthew 14:24). In the
painting, the sea forces the boat so that it is completely vertical. The
fishermen are seen as specs compared to the rest of the boat.
5. Henry Ossawa Tanner
Harbor Scene
1876
Oil on Canvas
Tanner's early works consisted of landscape
paintings. This is a beautiful scene of a harbor
Tanner painted while he was in Atlantic City. Tanner
uses a wide variety of colors to depict a lovely
looking harbor. He depicts people just doing what
they would normally do on a day in the harbor
6. Henry Ossawa Tanner
The Bagpipe Lesson
1892
Oil on Paperboard
Tanner would often spend his time in France. The
bagpipes were very common in France, so he decided
to paint a wonderful picture on the topic. Originally this
painting was just of a boy practicing the bagpipe, but
the for final version, Tanner added a teacher and two
other people. He got rid of the boy completely. He used
vivid colors and unique brush styles to capture the
realism of this beautifully crafted scene.
7. Jacob Lawrence
And the migrants kept coming
1940
Casein tempera on hardboard
Jacob Lawrence created a series of paintings known
as the Migration Series. Each of these paintings
depicts African Americans during the Great Migration
that took place during World War I. The railroad
symbolizes the start of their journey from the south
to the north of the United Sates. Lawrence was
inspired by Mexican muralists he had seen in the past
and it really shows in this piece.
8. Jacob Lawrence
The migrants arrived in great numbers
1940
Casein tempera on hardboard
This next piece from the Migration series depicts many
African American families traveling to the North by
walking through the fields. The colors in this piece are
bright and fun to look at. Some African Americans that
have made this trip to the north would often see
themselves as someone in the canvas.
9. Jacob Lawrence
They were very poor
1940
Casein tempera on hardboard
Another part of the Migration series is this picture
depicting two African Americans eating small portions
of food. This was painted during the time of war. War
had doubled the cost of food, which made life even
harder for the poor. This painting shows the realistic
ways of what people had to go through in that dark
time of the world.
10. Jacob Lawrence
The Wedding
1948
Tempera on gessoed Panel
Jacob once said "For me, the most important function of
art is observation." He was inspired by this and he
started panting his experiences from everyday life in
Harlem. In this piece he depicts a couple getting married
in a beautifully painted church. This piece shows the joy
and seriousness of a marriage ceremony. His use of
colors really bring the composition of the whole piece
together.
11. Jacob Lawrence
Self Portrait
1977
Gouache on Paper
While Jacob was in Seattle, Washington, he decided to
paint a portrait of himself. He uses specific colors to
further emphasize his surroundings. He paints himself
with paintbrushes, paintings in the background, and
other varies tools that he uses while painting. His
inviting smile will make you feel at home while looking
at this piece.
12. Henry Ossawa Tanner and Jacob Lawrence are both magnificent painters. They are two of the most
popular and well known African American artists of their own centuries. Tanner was from 1859-1937 while
Lawrence was from 1917-2000. Even though they painted artwork a few years apart, they have their own
ways of painting artwork. However why would I want to put these two artist with their own unique styles of
painting together?
The reason I put these artists together is because they both will usually paint objects, landscapes, or
just people from the real world. They paint from their life experiences or simply what they see right in front
of them. They would also have messages in their paintings as well. The paintings also have some religious
symbolism or just messages about life. They would usually paint what African Americans went through during
the early years of our country. They would show the hardships of traveling to the north, what it was like living
as the poor, or simply showing someone how to play an instrument.
I think that Tanner and Lawrence are two of the best African American artists of all time. They both
really changed the world with their artwork and have inspired so many people over the years. They both have
their own unique styles of painting, but they have so much in common with each other. I hope that there is
more appreciation for these two artists in the future. They really need to be recognized as some of the best
African American artists ever. They are both good examples to African Americans everywhere.
