Art of the Harlem Renaissance

The Art of the Harlem Renaissance was the product of the African-American art and literary movement in the neighborhood of Harlem in the uptown Manhattan. Alain Locke’s book “The New Negro” encouraged the black artists to retrieve their ancestral birthright as their means of strengthening their expression. African-American embraced all forms of art including painting, dance, music, theatre, film and cabaret.

Art of the Harlem Renaissance was more than just an art and literary movement and more than just a social revolt against racial discrimination. It had acclaimed the unique and wonderful culture of the African-Americans which redefined their own expression.

Aaron Douglas was the Harlem Renaissance Artist whose works best epitomized the New Negro Philosophy. His works were Arts of the Harlem Renaissance. He painted the four-panel series of the Aspects of Negro Life which traces the journey of African-Americans from liberation in Africa to enslavement in the United States and from freedom after the Civil War to modern city life. His work Song of the Towers also represents the African-American struggle from slavery to self-emancipation in American cities. Most of his paintings depicted the importance of the African culture spirit.

Lois Jones works were also considered as Harlem Renaissance Art. She entered the School of the Museum of Fine Art in a time were racism and discrimination are the features of American life. She continued her art career in spite of these barriers. Her famous works include Negro Shack I, Fishing Smacks, Les Pommes Vertes and Jennie.

Other Harlem Renaissance artists were Romare Bearden, Jacob Lawrence and William Johnson.