The Harlem Renaissance
History and Definition of the Harlem Renaissance
The Harlem Renaissance is the name given to an entire cultural movement during the 1920’s and 1930’s. It is defined as an explosion of African American literature, art, theatre, dance and poetry emanating from Harlem in New York City. At the turn of the century, Harlem was a new suburb and was attractive to African Americans who were then living in old run down areas of New York City. Another name for the Harlem Renaissance was the ‘New Negro Movement’ from the art history book, ‘The New Negro’ by Alan Locke.
The Harlem Renaissance began as a series of literacy discussions and lectures in Harlem. Prominent sociologist and public speaker Charles Spurgeon Johnson encouraged all African American writers to move to Harlem and live there and write about their experience as African Americans. Consequently the Harlem Renaissance affected all areas of art: dance, music, theatre, art and literature and poetry.
Famous Artists of the Harlem Renaissance
- Aaron Douglas- 1899-1979
- Lois Mailou Jones- 1905-1988
- Palmer Hayden - 1890-1973
- Archibald Motley-1891- 1981
- Jacob Lawrence-1917-2000
- Beauford Delaney-1901-1979
- Ernie Barnes-1938-2009
Famous Paintings and Art from the Harlem Renaissance
- Aaron Douglas- Aspects of Negro Life: An Idyll of the Deep South, 1934 and Study for Aspects of Negro Life: From Slavery through Reconstruction, 1934
- Lois Mailou Jones- The Lovers, 1950
- Palmer Hayden- Baptism- 1958
- Archibald Motley-Bronzeville at Night 1935
- Jacob Lawrence-Migration of the Negro 1940 and Self Portrait, 1977
- Beauford Delaney-Can Fire in the Park- 1946
- Ernie Barnes-Sugar Shack, 1971 – note: he was the Official artist of the 1984 Los Angles Olympiad
Museums, Galleries featuring art from the Harlem Renaissance
New Orleans Museum of Art- www.noma.org
The Milwaukee Art Museum- www.mam.org
The Studio Museum of Harlem-www.studiomuseum.org
Baltimore Museum of Art-www.artbma.org
Current Exhibitions featuring art from the Harlem Renaissance
http://www.virginia.edu/artmuseum/on_view/exhibitions/Man_Ray.php
By Melissa Montgomery
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