Aaron Douglas

Yesterday, I went to the Delaware Art Museum {surprisingly fantastic!} & saw one reproduction of a mural by one of my favorite 20th century artists & this weekend I'm heading to Washington D.C & I'll hopefully have time to stop by the National Portrait Gallery to see their extensive exhibit on him.

Aaron Douglas

Born in Topeka, Kansas in 1899, Douglas was always interested in art & his mother was very influential in encouraging him to follow his passion. He graduated from the University of Lincoln-Nebraska with a B.A in 1922 & quickly made his way to Harlem, just in time for the Harlem Renaissance. He began writing for The Crisis & Opportunity, two important newspapers during the Harlem Renaissance period.

Douglas was heavily inspired by Africa & African Americans, which can be seen in his jazzy, silhouette-like large paintings, many of which depict the hardships of slavery combined with the fortitude of African people. His most famous works, the large-scale murals at Fisk University, were completed in the 1930's.

His most recognized work are sort of abstract & feature flat figures with geometric bands radiating outward from these figures, although he also did some traditional sketching. His response to being called the Father of African American Arts was: "Do not call me the Father of African American Arts, for I am just a son of Africa, and paint for what inspires me."

{image: Study for Aspects of Negro Life: The Negro in an African Setting, 1934}

{image: Idylls of the Deep South, 1934}

{image: Building More Stately Mansions - 1944}

{image: Gods Trombones - 1926}

{image: The Creation - 1935}

{image: Power Plant in Harlem}