February is here, which means there’s a lot happening, including Valentine’s Day, Groundhog Day, American Heart Month, and of course Black History Month. To commemorate Black History Month, I’ve decided to write about the monumental achievements of African-American people throughout history, specifically artists.Although we learn about many black activists in school, not much other than that is discussed and I think that’s a shame, which is why I would like to educate everyone and even myself about these artistic people. Although they weren’t often held to the same standards as the majority, they still managed to create.
The earliest record of an African-American artist is a painter who was active from 1796-1824, Joshua Johnson. Information about his background is scarce, but we know that he was born to a white father and unknown slave, making Johnson mixed race. He was most likely a slave at some point who was freed. He married and had four children and has over 100 identified paintings. Johnson’s art style was simple and he always painted faces in three-quarter views. His backgrounds were simple and he was a professional portrait painter.
The next talented artist is Edmonia Lewis, a Native American and African sculptor. She was born in 1844 and orphaned at age five. She went to a coed school and was educated by African-American nuns, before she went to college, which was not a very good experience for her. Most likely because of her race, she was wrongfully accused of poisoning a roommate but even after getting cleared in court, she was still kidnapped and brutally beaten, almost to death, by a mob of white men. After the incident she was accused of theft and left the school on unclear terms. With the support of her brother, she pursued her dream of sculpting and eventually went to Rome, which influenced her to make mainly Neoclassical sculptures. During her life, she was very well-known and even President Ulysses S. Grant commissioned a portrait from her. In addition to being a person of color, she was also a woman in a male dominated field.It was not easy for her to become so successful, but she did make it, and paved a legacy.
Finally, is Henry Ossawa Tanner, born in 1859. Tanner’s father was a bishop and his mother, a former-slave. He practiced painting a lot during childhood and applied to
many different art schools, however his race was a barrier for him and he was constantly rejected. Eventually he was accepted into the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts and was the only black student during his time. Still, he fought on and made his mark. Tanner decided to move to Paris because discrimination in America was so bad, and he wanted to work without that. He made lots of landscapes and religious themed paintings. His style is realistic, but also soft and they all carry a tranquil atmosphere.
There is much to learn from the histories of these artists and their struggles. Don’t hesitate to do your own research on these people or even other black artists or people in general. Happy Black History Month everyone!
The Viking Journal 