Harlem As Muse

Harlem, New York is a neighborhood immortalized and made internationally famous by the cultural movement known as the Harlem Renaissance. The artists featured this week looked to Harlem as a subject and source of inspiration.

Art Links

Harlem Cotton Club, Tsuguharu Foujita French, born Japan, Pen and black ink, watercolor — Harlem Cotton Club
Tsuguharu Foujita
20th century

The Dance of Latin America, Luis Cruz Azaceta American, born Cuba, Acrylic on canvas — The Dance of Latin America
Luis Cruz Azaceta
1983

Parting, Hughie Lee-Smith American, Watercolor and graphite on paper — Parting
Hughie Lee-Smith
1994

Mother and Child, Elizabeth Catlett American and Mexican, Lithograph — Mother and Child
Elizabeth Catlett
1944

The Card Players, Hale Woodruff American, Oil on canvas — The Card Players
Hale Woodruff
1930

Jitterbug Swing, David Burke American, Color Woodcut — Jitterbug Swing
David Burke
WPA
1935–43

Untitled, Norman Lewis American, Oil on canvas — Untitled
Norman Lewis
1978

[Soldiers on Parade, Lenox Avenue near 134th Street, Harlem], James Van Der Zee American, Gelatin silver print — [Soldiers on Parade, Lenox Avenue near 134th Street, Harlem]
James Van Der Zee
ca. 1920

Savoy Dancers - Harlem Document, Aaron Siskind American, Gelatin silver print — Savoy Dancers - Harlem Document
Multiple artists/makers
ca. 1936, printed ca. 1979

Jitterbugs II, William Henry Johnson American, Screenprint — Jitterbugs II
William Henry Johnson
ca. 1941

The Block, Romare Bearden American, Collage of cut and torn printed, colored, painted and metallic papers with graphite, porous-point pen, watercolor, opaque watercolor, and ink on Masonite — The Block
Romare Bearden
1971

The Photographer, Jacob Lawrence American, Watercolor, gouache, and graphite on paper — The Photographer
Jacob Lawrence
1942

Street Story Quilt, Faith Ringgold American, Cotton canvas, acrylic paint, ink marker, dyed and printed cotton, and sequins, sewn to a cotton flannel backing — Street Story Quilt
Faith Ringgold
1985