Early Modern Blog
Early modern era during art during the 19th century focused on artistic experimentation, breaking away from traditional styles. These artists explored new and different ways of seeing and representing the world through various forms such as color, form and composition. This era was influenced by many different factors and changes occurring at this time. Some of these include World War I, The Great Depression, innovations in science and technology and the influence of African Americans. These influences helped artists show their perspectives and artistic expressions. For the purpose of this blog, we will focus on the influence of African Americans in early modern art.
The Harlem Renaissance
The Harlem Renaissance was "a period of rich cross-disciplinary artistic and cultural activity among African Americans between the end of World War I (1917) and the onset of the Great depression and lead up to World War II (1930's)"(NGA). It was centered in Harlem, New York City. Artists involved in this movement asserted and demonstrated pride in African American life and identity through creative expression across literature, music, art, etc.
Aspects of Negro Life: From Slavery Through Reconstruction,
Aaron Douglas, American c. 1934
This work of art, created by Aaron Douglas, was painted in 1934 for the 135th street branch of the New York public library. This painting/mural demonstrates the experience from slavery to the reconstruction era, showcasing several themes such as freedom, black identity and struggle. It has so many different layers to it. For starters, from the left of the painting we see pre-war south, showcasing the history of African Americans to the right, where we see the post-war north, showing the re-birth of African traditions. We see a transition in this painting and though we cannot see the faces clearly to depict the emotions, we can see, through body language and other items, such as instruments, everything they went through to get to the re-birth of those traditions and it symbolizes the historical narrative. Douglas utilizes bold, flat, shapes and hard edges in this painting along with geometric shapes and repetition, common in African art and design. It also includes nature as a theme, such as the sun, land and humans. I think this work of art is beautiful as it showcases transitions and history.
Archibald Motley, Black Belt, 1934. Hampton University Museum, Hampton, Virginia.
This painting, created by Archibald Motley in Chicago, represented the artists' visual examination of African American culture during the Jazz age. Though not originally from Harlem, Motley who is from Chicago, was deeply in dialogue with the artistic, literary and cultural scenes in Harlem. Motley used vibrant colors and rhythmic composition to depict the energy of Jazz and the bright, vibrant life of the black urban experience during both, the Jazz age and the Harlem Renaissance. The bold, vibrant colors help the viewers see and feel the energy of his paintings. I think some of the colors, including neon colors, also help show the urban night-life. I can also see how the artist used light and shadow to help create dimension and depth in the painting. He also used a variation of skin tones. This painting showcases the influence of African Americans through two creative expressions, art and music. I personally see and feel the energy through this painting.
Jacob Lawrence. The Migration Series, 1940-41. Panel 1
This painting, created by Jacob Lawrence in Harlem, New York City, is a 60 panel series, depicting the great migration of African Americans from the rural south to the urban north. The great migration was demographic shift where millions of African Americans moved from the south, looking for better economic opportunities along with a life, free from Jim crow laws. This series demonstrates the hardships of the south and the hopes and expectations from the migrants. This specific panel shows a crowd of African American migrants trying to leave the South. His art included abstracted figures with bold colors, mostly being green, red, blue and yellow. There's even a singular white color which I think was done on purpose to catch the viewers attention. It looks like a child and its mother. I think Lawrence uses a blend of realism and abstraction in this series. I think this work of art truly shows the hardships of many African Americans and it's a way for the public to view and have knowledge of the reality of their life.
References
Aspects of Negro Life: From Slavery to Reconstruction · FSU Omeka S. (2022). Flo.org. https://omeka.flo.org/instances/fsu-1.3.0/s/food-study/item/8730
Archibald Motley: Jazz Age Modernist. (n.d.). LACMA. https://www.lacma.org/art/exhibition/archibald-motley-jazz-age-modernist
Grim, R. (2019, February 6). Jacob Lawrence and the Harlem Renaissance. Moas.org. https://www.moas.org/Jacob-Lawrence-and-the-Harlem-Renaissance-1-57.html
National Gallery of Art. (2022). Harlem Renaissance. Www.nga.gov; National Gallery of Art. https://www.nga.gov/learn/teachers/lessons-activities/uncovering-america/harlem-renaissance.html
Samms, G. (2024, February 12). 5 Harlem Renaissance Artists Whose Work Helped Reclaim Black Identity | HISTORY. HISTORY. https://www.history.com/articles/harlem-renaissance-african-american-identity
Weiss, J. (2015, May 4). One Way Ticket: Jacob Lawrence’s Migration Series Review | Museum of Modern Art. LINEA. https://asllinea.org/jacob-lawrences-migration-series-at-moma/
Your work beautifully reflects the depth and intricacy of African American contributions to early modern art during the Harlem Renaissance. Your presentation on the works by Aaron Douglas, Archibald Motley, and Jacob Lawrence demonstrated distinct aspects of Black identity and resilience through each piece. The way you explained Aspects of Negro Life resonated deeply as you highlighted the journey from slavery to cultural renewal through Douglas's symbolic shapes. The layered elements in the artwork give it a sense of life.
ReplyDeleteThe way Motley used color in Black Belt perfectly captured the energetic essence of the Jazz Age as if the painting sang to viewers. Your analysis of Jacob Lawrence's intentional use of white within the panel made a lasting impression on me because such a subtle detail carries immense power. The content of your post highlights how these artworks function as historical records that embody both societal challenges and moments of joy. Thanks for sharing this!
I'm really drawn to the geometric theme of your selected pieces. Many of the pieces that I analyzed had very detailed and non-abstract elements. The abstract features are something that was unique to the modern era of art as the styles began to branch away from traditional art "rules". You also focused on how African Americans influenced art. Although it was mentioned briefly, I want to expand on how Jazz was also a huge influence of the time. We don't talk much about it for this class but music is also a very large form of art. The rise of Jazz was another way that African American culture was being represented in American art.
ReplyDeleteFirstly, Ashley, your blog is gorgeous to look at. I love the placement of the artworks and how well the paragraphs are written out. Secondly, I love how all the works you’ve chosen stand out and tell powerful stories of Negro life of that time. I love how in each of the paintings. The detail in everyone’s face is left out, almost blending everybody into one big picture but not marking them as a mass together. They still keep their individuality in each painting, even though they are almost faceless.
ReplyDeleteI think my personal favorite one that you covered was Black Belt by Archibald Motley, as it really draws the eye in with all of the vibrant colors of nightlife. The colors really make me feel like I’m within the jazz age in the 1930s; I’m on that street corner ready to go into a hotel or a bar and dance the night away.
In all three of these paintings, the artist just did that, but they created new ones that not only showed their struggles in Negro life but also their truth and their pride during this era of art. There truly isn’t any part of this artwork that doesn’t appeal to me in some way, shape, or form. The art styles are bold and full of purpose, filling the viewer with a sense of pride. The art styles that these three artists create are bold, colorful, and loud, which not only speaks to the atmosphere of the painting but also to what life was like for Negroes back in the 1930s and 40s. It’s inspiring and full of life, even though back then, they were still very much an oppressed race of people. They still found a way to thrive and be happy, and it is shown through their artwork.