Uncovering Civil War and Post-Civil War Art (1860s - 1910s)

A tribute to the Black artists of the 19th century

I want to pay homage to the African American artists that truly faced discrimination and backlash for their works in the 19th century. Though many did gain widespread recognition across the globe, there were multiple restrictions and discriminatory limitations placed on them even after the Civil War. Though this is not necessarily a formal art movement like Impressionism or Baroque, this is profound in its cultural impact and what it means to American Art history as a whole.

The Civil War raged on from 1861 to 1865, affecting the lives of nearly everyone in America and resulted in 620,000 deaths. One of the topics that were up for heavy debate and battle was the right to own slaves.

This directly affected art-making in America with both White and Black artists highlighting such issues. However, from my research and from what I noticed, most of the African American artists who have created work during this time period were quite confined in their subjects - attempting to make a living while painting what was popular and "not controversial" during this period.

There is no distinct style or subject but simply a shared identity and struggle among the artists that will be highlighted this week. This is a topic that has not often been highlighted online so this will also be a learning journey for me as well.

And that's art.

Sidenote: Shoutout to our good friend and talented music producer @boybluebaby!

Josephine Baker, the Black Pearl of the Harlem Renaissance

Five quick facts about her amazing life

Casino de Paris, Louis Gaudin, 1930

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Josephine Baker is one of the most well-known Black artist throughout the world and considered to be an integral part of the Harlem Renaissance. She grew up in St. Louis in the early 1900s, living a life of relative poverty. She began working at only eight years old and soon developed an insatiable independent spirit. Baker began her career in America as a dancer, having comedic side roles in Broadway and American theater but her fame skyrocketed when she visited France where the Parisian audience welcomed her enthusiastically.

Here are 5 facts about Josephine Baker:

1. Her contract has a nondiscrimination clause, meaning that her audience should be integrated despite their race.

2. She was a bisexual and had an affair with Frida Khalo.

3. She actively worked as a spy during World War II for the French Resistance.

4. She adopted 12 children and called her family the “Rainbow Tribe.”

5. Despite renouncing her American citizenship, she still actively fought for civil rights in America and even spoke at the March on Washington in 1963.

I used to be a big dancer when I was younger and Josephine Baker was, and will always be, my biggest role model. Her unapologetic and fearless nature is truly an aspect that I hope to have one day. I encourage everyone to learn more about Josephine Baker - there are fantastic, free documentaries on Youtube and I’ve heard only good things from her son’s book, “Josephine Baker: The Hungry Heart.”

And that’s art.

Travel Monday: Celebrating Harlem with Jacob Lawrence

Introducing the cultural center of the Big Apple

As the name suggests, the Harlem Renaissance pays homage to the New York City Neighborhood, Harlem. During the Great Migration, Harlem became the cultural center of the African American community. With the eruption of jazz, fashion, art, literature, and philosophy, Harlem became the place to be.

It is during this time in the early 1900s that Harlem's African American culture began to proliferate into popularity. Primarily, jazz marked an introduction to entertainment that saw no color! This is one of the first instances that both black and white artists and audience members truly shared a joint passion without any bias.

During the 1920s to 1940s, it truly was the pinnacle of freedom and unfiltered joy from the previous systematic oppression that the African American community once faced in the South. However, happiness comes with hard work and labor; this belief is highlighted in Lawrence’s work. Check out our story for more Lawrence goodness!

And that's art.

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Jacob Lawrence's Artwork Citations (In Order of Appearance)

Pool Parlor, Jacob Lawrence, 1942, Watercolor and Gouache on Paper, 79.1 x 58.1 cm, Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Shoemaker, Jacob Lawrence, 1945, Watercolor and Gouache on Paper, 57.8 x 78.7 cm, Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Apartment, Jacob Lawrence, 1943

The Migration of the Negro, Panel 1, Jacob Lawrence, 1941, Casein Tempera on Hardboard, 30.5 x 45.7 cm, The Phillips Collection

The Library, Jacob Lawrence, 1960, Tempera on Fiberboard, 60.9 x 75.8 cm, Smithsonian American Art Museum

Dreams No. 2, Jacob Lawrence, 1965, Tempera on Fiberboard, 90.8 x 61.0 cm, Smithsonian American Art Museum