Harlem Renaissance Research Paper
Discuss the interrelationship between art and nation building in the first half of the twentieth century.
The Harlem Renaissance; a revolutionary outburst of creative activity among African-Americans occurred in all fields of art between 1920-1930. It was a cultural and psychological turning point, an era in which black people were perceived as having finally liberated themselves from a past filled with self-doubt. It was originally called “The New Negro Movement”. It was centered in the Harlem district of New York City, but expanded across the western world. Harlem attracted a successful and stylish black middle class from which sprang an extraordinary artistic center. Like the avant-garde movements in Europe, it embraced all the art forms, including art, literature, music, dance, film, theatre and cabaret. Harlem nightlife, with its dance halls and jazz bands, featured prominently in the work of these artists. It was ore than a literary movement and more than a social revolt against racism; the Harlem Renaissance elevated the unique culture of African-Americans and redefined the African-American expression. …show more content…
They celebrated the beauty of blackness by fusing their unique American experience with African traditions. Artists at the core of the Harlem Renaissance movement included painters Aaron Douglas, Palmer Hayden, William H. Johnson, Lois Mailou Jones and the sculptor and printmaker Sargent Claude Johnson. Other prominent artists associated with the Harlem Renaissance included Jacob Lawrence, Archibald Motley and Romare Bearden. Art played an important role in the empowerment and the nation building in black America, this is because artists began to produce artwork that would eradicate or move away from the stereotypical white impression of African-Americans. These pieces would emphasize their beauty and dignity. These were used to portray an accurate image of
The Harlem Renaissance; a revolutionary outburst of creative activity among African-Americans occurred in all fields of art between 1920-1930. It was a cultural and psychological turning point, an era in which black people were perceived as having finally liberated themselves from a past filled with self-doubt. It was originally called “The New Negro Movement”. It was centered in the Harlem district of New York City, but expanded across the western world. Harlem attracted a successful and stylish black middle class from which sprang an extraordinary artistic center. Like the avant-garde movements in Europe, it embraced all the art forms, including art, literature, music, dance, film, theatre and cabaret. Harlem nightlife, with its dance halls and jazz bands, featured prominently in the work of these artists. It was ore than a literary movement and more than a social revolt against racism; the Harlem Renaissance elevated the unique culture of African-Americans and redefined the African-American expression. …show more content…
They celebrated the beauty of blackness by fusing their unique American experience with African traditions. Artists at the core of the Harlem Renaissance movement included painters Aaron Douglas, Palmer Hayden, William H. Johnson, Lois Mailou Jones and the sculptor and printmaker Sargent Claude Johnson. Other prominent artists associated with the Harlem Renaissance included Jacob Lawrence, Archibald Motley and Romare Bearden. Art played an important role in the empowerment and the nation building in black America, this is because artists began to produce artwork that would eradicate or move away from the stereotypical white impression of African-Americans. These pieces would emphasize their beauty and dignity. These were used to portray an accurate image of