Early Modern Blog

 

Harlem Renaissance - Early Modern 

 

    The Harlem Renaissance is a period of great artistic creativity that occurred between the two World Wars. The artists of the Harlem Renaissance sought to "assert pride in Black life and identity" through their art. Many of these artists drew ideas from the Modern art movement of Cubism or the new bright, bold colors and straight lines of the new style of graphic design. They also looked back to West African paintings and art and even ancient Egyptian sculptures as an influence on their work ("Harlem Renaissance"). These artists created art that represented great themes such as justice, freedom, and resistance as well as documenting the daily lives of African-Americans through family portraits and wildly colored street scenes that showed the vitality and energy of Harlem during this time period.

    Aaron Douglas was born in 1899 in Topeka, Kansas. Douglas is an influential artist of the Harlem Renaissance and is also known for his modernist paintings depicting African-American life. Some of his most famous are "Aspects of Negro Life" and "Aspirations."

Aaron Douglas, Aspiration, 1936

 This painting, "Aspirations," has a distinct and unique style. I see layers layered on top of each other, eliminating every detail and concentrating on the background. These figures have different forms in dynamic poses. On one hand, we have the seated figure, which is the protagonist since the light focuses only on the figure. The other two figures have the same role, but in this painting the eye is immediately drawn to the seated figure. In the distance of the painting, you can see a building on the hill. This architectural building has tall vertical elements, which could represent a skyscraper or tower. The placement of this element creates that sense of inspiring and interesting composition. Finally, this painting has a fascinating color palette, which are purple, pink, and green, creating a pleasant atmosphere. The lighting in this painting and the use of colors create depth but also direct the eye from the darker elements to the lighter ones, creating a clearer and more reflective view in the painting.

    The emotions I see in this painting are hope and a forward momentum. The figures seen in the painting extend to a point and reach toward a future. The presentation of this painting is layered one on top of the other. The color palette of cool purples and blues creates a fascinating setting in the painting. The composition of the painting draws the viewer's gaze upward, from the figures and toward the structure. The original painting is located in the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. The story behind this painting was one of triumph and a journey toward freedom from slavery and racism. 

    To be honest, he is not my favorite artists, but I must say that I admire his painting “Aspiration” because it gives that hope of making a better future.

 

    Archibald Motley is an American artist born in 1891. He is best known for his vibrant depictions of Black life during the Harlem Renaissance. He studied at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. His style ranges from classic naturalistic portraits to vividly stylized genre paintings.

Archibald Motley, Bronzeville At Night, 1949

    In this painting, I see a lot of color, such as deep blue and purple, creating a nocturnal atmosphere, along with touches of warm colors like red on the dresses and the car, which marks the contrast in the painting. I also see great dramatic lighting on the streets, while I see a warm yellow-orange light in the windows of the buildings, creating an evocative night scene. Its texture is soft yet dynamic, with very visible brushstrokes that give movement to the figures and create a sense of energy in this urban scene. The composition of this painting is represented by figures, cars, and architectural elements, but the painting maintains a clear focal point thanks to the lighting of the elements.

    This painting evokes emotions of excitement, and I see a touch of mystery from the deep blue color and its vibrant street scene. The presentation of this painting has a form of social realism or urban scenes with strong use of color contrast, particularly the blue and red, and warm yellows in the windows and signs. This composition draws the viewer into the scene through its dynamic arrangement of figures. The original painting is located at the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York. The history behind this work is unknown, but it seems to capture a moment in urban life in the United States when cities were vibrant centers of nightlife and social interaction.

    When I see this painting, it gives me the feeling of being in the middle of a nighttime city. It's as if I can almost hear the sounds of the streets. Those signs, like “massage”and “Jack's cabin”, give it a slightly rustic feel, which I find interesting. I like this painting because it's what we see in some cities today. It may be a little different, but it's something similar to painting where there are a lot of activities at night. Also, the artist isn't my favorite, but I love his works because it gives that happy side between people and that social interaction between them.

 James Van Der Zee was born in Lenox, Massachusetts in 1886. He was an African-American photographer and was famous for documenting the Harlem Renaissance through portraiture. Van der Zee's photographs give a unique insight into the black middle class, showing their aspirations, elegance, and community spirit. His most famous photographs were "Couple, Harlem" and "Marcus Garvey and Garvey's Militia."

James Van Der Zee, Choir Boy, 1937

    In the photograph, Choir Boy, there are pure white and deep black color tones, as well as several gray tones that create contrast in the photograph. You can also notice that the image is in sepia tone, but the yellow color can be seen in the flowers, giving the photo a more interesting impression. These colors also create an atmosphere and emphasis. Light is an important element in photography. In this image, the dramatic lighting creates bright light that contrasts with the shadows. It's also likely that the light is coming through a window, making the photo even more dramatic. The photo has a texture that adds a tactile quality to the child's clothing, the floral arrangements, and the architectural details in the background.

    This photograph conveys emotions of innocence, and I see an environment of peace and spiritual devotion. The photograph is presented in a portrait format with wonderful lighting in the background. The photo has a regional setting that includes decorative elements such as angels, a cross, and floral arrangements. The child's white clothing stands out against the dark background. The original photograph can be seen at the Studio Museum in Harlem. The story behind this photograph is that the artist Van Der Zee wanted to focus on and show the pride and everyday life of African Americans.

    I liked this photograph more for the light part since it is very important in paintings and photography. I am not a very religious person but I admire how it shows the lives of African Americans with only photos by the artist Van Der Zee.

Works Cited

“Archibald Motley's Bronzeville at Night.” Peoria Riverfront Museum, https://www.peoriariverfrontmuseum.org/exhibits-collections/exhibits/archibald-motleys-bronzeville-at-night. Accessed 30 March 2025.

Douglas, Aaron, and James Weldon Johnson. “Aaron Douglas Painter & Illustrator.” The Kennedy Center, https://www.kennedy-center.org/education/resources-for-educators/classroom-resources/media-and-interactives/artists/douglas-aaron/. Accessed 1 April 2025.

“Harlem Renaissance.” National Gallery of Art, https://www.nga.gov/learn/teachers/lessons-activities/uncovering-america/harlem-renaissance.html. Accessed 2 April 2025.

Jr, Jason Overby. “On view in edges of ailey at thw whitney museum: Maren hassinger, river; james van der zee, choir boy.” Studio Museum In Harlem Magazine, 7 November 2024, https://www.studiomuseum.org/magazine/on-view-in-edges-of-ailey-at-the-whitney-museum-maren-hassinger-river-james-van-der-zee-choir-boy. Accessed 23 March 2025.

Mayer, Isabella. ““Aspiration” by Aaron Douglas – An Important Artwork Analysis.” Art in context logo, 19 June 2024, https://artincontext.org/aspiration-by-aaron-douglas/. Accessed 30 March 2025.