Harlem Renaissance
More controversial than one might think, Art was one of the most influential expressions of black culture during the era of the Harlem Renaissance. Constantly torn between whether they should return to African routes for inspiration or pull from the American culture they had assimilated into, African-Americans all wanted to have their voice heard at the beginning of the 20th century. They wanted to find their voice that had so long been drowned out by the yelling of the white populace since and before the civil war. To free themselves from the bondage of economy and to finally be respected as a people, many turned to art for the advancement of their culture. Serving not only for aesthetic and symbolist qualities, art also served as a voice in the political world.Many black political leaders of the time, including W.E.B. DuBois and Alain Locke, believed that art could open up many opportunities for the black population. By painting or sculpting the black individual could be seen as more than just a victimized o
These artists tended to paint landscapes of different European countries. The artists of the time, however, were pulled into two very different directions. Although the artwork of the Harlem Renaissance, and the Harlem Renaissance itself, ended abruptly when the Great Depression had launched, the creations of the era still continue inspiring many. This was appropriate because African-American culture was filled with a tremendous zeal for life and an excitement that not many other cultures of the day had. Whatever the case, most African-American artists during this period of time had a similarity that tied them together. Black art was often very colorful and vivacious; having an almost rhythmic feel to it. People such as DuBois and Locke also believed that by selling artworks blacks could become financially stable and be able to participate in the game that was economy. , obtained their inspiration from the surroundings in which they lived in; where jazz was at the forefront and African-Americans were just trying to get by day to day like any other Anglo-American. The though that looking to Africa for inspiration was the only option were being pressured into their heads as well as pressures from other individuals who believed drawing from American culture was the only way to be seen differently, as a culture, in the United States. The Harlem Renaissance proved to be a pinnacle for African-American artwork and was a time when the culture exceeded the expectations white society had placed on it. Although, alongside their paintings of the black culture, they also included moving pieces about their captivity and their rise to freedom, when looking at the artwork of the day one can sense the passion in every creation.
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Acceptance Essays
