About the National Museum of American Art

African American Art at the National Museum of American Art

The National Museum of American Art is the home of the finest collection of works by African American artists of any general museum today. More than 1,500 diverse objects in a variety of media are represented, from portraiture of the early republic to the creative expressions of contemporary men and women.

These works reflect European styles and subjects in the 18th and 19th centuries, explorations of social and anecdotal aspects of black culture in the 1920s and 1930s, experiments with color and abstract form in recent years, and throughout, moving examples of self-taught expression.

By its collections and research, the museum is redefining American art to include the cultural traditions of minorities that have been excluded in the past. Two galleries--one encompassing the 19th century, the other art of this century--are now devoted exclusively to work of selected African American artists. In addition, African American artists are represented throughout the museum's extensive survey of American art.

The creativity of African American folk artists, also on view, is a major component of a major new museum resource: acquisitions from the collection of Herbert Waide Hemphill, Jr. The work of more than 20 black artists, including Sister Gertrude Morgan, Bill Traylor and Joseph Yoakum can be found in the selections of folk art acquired by gift or purchase from Hemphill.

The centerpiece of the museum's lobby is James Hampton's remarkable "The Throne of the Third Heaven of the Nations' Millenium General Assembly." Long remembered by visitors from around the world, the sculpture is an impressive work with its 177 glittering objects sheathed in aluminum and gold foil, described by one noted critic as perhaps "the finest work of visionary religious art produced by an American."

Two portraits by Joshua Johnson, the first African American portrait painter to gain significant professional recognition in the United States, are highlighted in the museum's first floor galleries. Johnson was most active from 1796 to 1824--the museum's works date to 1810--and worked primarily in Maryland and Virginia. He is believed by scholars to have been a slave or indentured servant who purchased his freedom.

In the 19th-century gallery (second floor) dedicated to the work of African Americans there are 10 paintings by Robert Scott Duncanson, Edward Mitchell Bannister and Henry Ossawa Tanner-- each contributing to the mainstream of American art and acclaimed in his time. Figurative sculpture by Edmonia Lewis is on view as well. (Duncanson, Bannister and Tanner are also represented in the museum's survey of 19th-century painting.)

Lacking opportunities to advance socially and economically, these African American painters faced greater hardships than their white counterparts. Ambitious despite these deprivations, they won recognition--although that came slowly. Just as America's artists from colonial times until World War II worked largely within the context of European-inspired styles, so did African Americans. Among the paintings in this installation are lyrical landscapes in the Hudson River style by Duncanson, landscapes by Bannister--who was influenced by the French Barbizon school--and religious subjects and Middle Eastern scenes in the academic and symbolist modes by Tanner--a student of Thomas Eakins and expatriate in France after 1891.

The 20th-century gallery (third floor) devoted to work by African Americans features 10 paintings and three sculptures, including four stunning oils--one a self-portrait--by William H. Johnson. This formally trained artist is represented in the museum's collection by more than 1,000 works, the gift of the Harmon Foundation. After a European career as an accomplished Expressionist painter, Johnson evoked a neo-primitive style, as seen in "Man in a Vest" and "Going to Church."

Also installed in this gallery are Palmer Hayden's deeply touching self- portrait, "The Janitor Who Paints" and Sargent Claude Johnson's painted copper and wood "Mask" that addresses the duality and origins of the artist's heritage.

Recent works by African Americans acquired by the museum include "Les F.tiches," by Lois Mailou Jones, a central figure in the arts of Washington, D.C., and important model for young African American artists. "Junior Wells," by Frederick Brown, is an oil portrait of the Tennessee-born blues musician who became a major figure in Chicago in the 1960s. Augusta Savage, Elizabeth Catlett and Beauford Delaney are among other artists whose outstanding work the museum has recently acquired.

The National Museum of American Art is also a resource for work of such noted African American artists as Sam Gilliam and Alma Thomas, both natives of Washington, D.C., whose explorations of color and abstract forms are known internationally.

NMAA01

From the National Museum of American Art collection of works by African American artists. Gift of Jack Hafif and Frederick Weingeroff.

Bannister, Edward Mitchell Newspaper Boy 1869 oil on canvas, 30 1/8 x 25"

Not to be reproduced in any manner without prior written permission. Copyright 1993 Smithsonian Institution.

NMAA02

From the National Museum of American Art collection of works by African American artists.

Catlett, Elizabeth Singing Head 1980 marble, 16 x 9 1/2 x 12"

Not to be reproduced in any manner without prior written permission. Copyright 1993 Smithsonian Institution.

NMAA03

From the National Museum of American Art collection of works by African American artists. Gift of Leonard and Paula Granoff.

Duncanson, Robert Scott Landscape With Rainbow 1859 oil on canvas, 30 1/8 x 52 1/4"

Not to be reproduced in any manner without prior written permission. Copyright 1993 Smithsonian Institution.

NMAA04

From the National Museum of American Art collection of works by African American artists. Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Ritzenberg.

Gilliam Sam Open Cylinder 1979 oil on canvas, 81 x 35 1/2"

Not to be reproduced in any manner without prior written permission. Copyright 1993 Smithsonian Institution.

NMAA05

From the National Museum of American Art collection of works by African American artists. Gift of anonymous donors.

Hampton, James The Throne of the Third Heaven of the Nations Millenium General Assembly 1950-1964

gold and silver aluminum foil, colored kraft paper and plastic sheets over wood, paperboard, and glass 180 pieces in overall configuration: 10 1/2 x 27 x 14 1/2 ft.

Not to be reproduced in any manner without prior written permission. Copyright 1993 Smithsonian Institution

NMAA06

From the National Museum of American Art collection of works by African American artists. Gift of The Harmon Foundation.

Hayden, Palmer The Janitor Who Paints 1937 oil on canvas, 39 1/8 x 32 7/8"

Not to be reproduced in any manner without prior written permission. Copyright 1993 Smithsonian Institution.

NMAA07

From the National Museum of American Art collection of works by African American artists. Gift of Sol and Lilian Koffler.

Johnson, Joshua Portrait of Mrs. Barbara Baker Murphy (wife of a Sea Captain) 1830-1832 oil on canvas, 21 3/4 x 17 5/8 "

Not to be reproduced in any manner without prior written permission. Copyright 1993 Smithsonian Institution.

NMAA08

From the National Museum of American Art collection of works by African American artists. Gift of The Harmon Foundation.

Johnson, William H. Going to Church ca. 1940-1941 oil on burlap, 38 1/8 x 45 1/2 "

Not to be reproduced in any manner without prior written permission. Copyright 1993 Smithsonian Institution

NMAA09

From the National Museum of American Art collection of works by African American artists. Gift of Gladys P. Payne in honor of Alice P. Moore.

Jones, Lois Mailou Jardin du Luxembourg ca. 1948 oil on canvas, 23 3/4 x 28 3/4"

Not to be reproduced in any manner without prior written permission. Copyright 1993 Smithsonian Institution.

NMAA10

From the National Museum of American Art collection of works by African American artists. Gift of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Lewis, Edmonia Hagar 1875 marble, 52 5/8 x 15 1/4 x 17 "

Not to be reproduced in any manner without prior written permission. Copyright 1993 Smithsonian Institution.

NMAA11

From the National Museum of American Art collection of works by African American artists. Gift of Herbert Waide Hemphill, Jr., and museum purchase made possible by Ralph Cross Johnson.

Morgan, Sister Gertrude Jesus is my Airplane ca. 1970 tempera, ballpoint pen and ink, and pencil on paper, 18 x 26 3/8"

Not to be reproduced in any manner without prior written permission. Copyright 1993 Smithsonian Institution.

NMAA12

From the National Museum of American Art collection of works by African American artists. Bequest of Alma W. Thomas.

Thomas, Alma Woodsey Spring Grass 1973 acrylic on canvas, 60 x 54 1/2"

Not to be reproduced in any manner without prior written permission. Copyright 1993 Smithsonian Institution.

NMAA13

From the collections of the National Museum of American Art.

Bannister, Edward Mitchell Seaweed Gatherers ca. 1898 oil on canvas, 24 x 19 7/8 " Gift of H. Alan and Melvin Frank

Not to be reproduced in any manner without prior written permission. Copyright 1992 Smithsonian Institution.

NMAA15

From the collections of the National Museum of American Art.

Delaney, Beauford Can Fire in the Park 1946 oil on canvas, 24 x 30 " Museum Purchase

Not to be reproduced in any manner without prior written permission. Copyright 1992 Smithsonian Institution.

NMAA16

From the collections of the National Museum of American Art.

Duncanson, Robert Scott Mount Healthy, Ohio 1844 oil on canvas, 28 x 36 1/4 " Gift of Leonard Granoff

Not to be reproduced in any manner without prior written permission. Copyright 1992 Smithsonian Institution.

NMAA17

From the collections of the National Museum of American Art.

Gilliam, Sam Green Web 1967 acrylic on canvas, 90 1/2 x 30 3/4 " Gift of the Woodward Foundation

Not to be reproduced in any manner without prior written permission. Copyright 1992 Smithsonian Institution.

NMAA18

From the collections of the National Museum of American Art.

Johnson, Joshua Portrait of Sea Captain John Murphy ca. 1810 oil on canvas, 21 1/2 x 17 1/2 " Gift of Leonard and Paula Granoff

Not to be reproduced in any manner without prior written permission. Copyright 1992 Smithsonian Institution.

NMAA19

From the collections of the National Museum of American Art.

Johnson, Sargent Claude Mask ca. 1930-1935 copper on wood base, 15 1/2 x 13 1/2 x 6 " Gift of International Business Machines Corporation

Not to be reproduced in any manner without prior written permission. Copyright 1992 Smithsonian Institution.

NMAA20

From the collections of the National Museum of American Art.

Johnson, William H. Moon Over Harlem ca. 1943-1944 oil on plywood, 28 1/2 x 35 3/4 " Gift of the Harmon Foundation

Not to be reproduced in any manner without prior written permission. Copyright 1992 Smithsonian Institution.

NMAA21

From the collections of the National Museum of American Art.

Lewis, Edmonia Old Arrow Maker ca. 1872 marble, 21 1/2 x 13 5/8 x 13 3/8 " Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Norman B. Robbins

Not to be reproduced in any manner without prior written permission. Copyright 1992 Smithsonian Institution.

NMAA22

From the collections of the National Museum of American Art.

Tanner, Henry Ossawa Salome ca. 1900 oil on canvas, 46 x 35 1/4 " Gift of Jesse O. Tanner

Not to be reproduced in any manner without prior written permission. Copyright 1992 Smithsonian Institution.

NMAA23

From the collections of the National Museum of American Art.

Tanner, Henry Ossawa The Savior ca. 1900-1905 oil on plywood, 29 1/8 x 21 7/8 " Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Norman B. Robbins

Not to be reproduced in any manner without prior written permission. Copyright 1992 Smithsonian Institution.

NMAA24

From the collections of the National Museum of American Art.

Thomas, Alma Woodsey Red Azaleas Singing and Dancing Rock and Roll Music 1976 acrylic on canvas, 72 1/4 x 156 3/4 " Bequest of Alma W. Thomas

Not to be reproduced in any manner without prior written permission. Copyright 1992 Smithsonian Institution.

NMAA25

From the collections of the National Museum of American Art.

Thompson, Bob Descent From The Cross 1963 oil on canvas, 84 x 60 1/8 " Gift of Mr. and Mrs. David K. Anderson, Martha Jackson Memorial Collection

Not to be reproduced in any manner without prior written permission. Copyright 1992 Smithsonian Institution.

NMAA26

From the collections of the National Museum of American Art.

Traylor, Bill Pig with Corkscrew Tail ca. 1939-1942 tempera and pencil on paperboard, 12 x 18 " Gift of Chuck and Jan Rosenak

Not to be reproduced in any manner without prior written permission. Copyright 1992 Smithsonian Institution.

NMAA27

From the collections of the National Museum of American Art.

Woodruff, Hale Georgia Landscape ca. 1934-1935 oil on canvas, 21 1/8 x 25 5/8 " Gift of Alfred T. Morris, Jr.

Not to be reproduced in any manner without prior written permission. Copyright 1992 Smithsonian Institution.