Visiting The Met? The Temple of Dendur will be closed Sunday, April 27 through Friday, May 9. The Met Fifth Avenue will be closed Monday, May 5.

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, Cut and pasted printed, colored and metallic papers, photostats, graphite, ink marker, gouache, 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