Who Was Henry Ossawa Tanner? Art is a timeless expression of individual creativity that captures the essence of the artist.
Henry Ossawa Tanner was one of America’s most famous artists whose career spanned across two continents. He was known for his unique perspective on religion, genre, and landscape painting.
This artist abstract delves into Tanner’s life and works, from his upbringing in Pittsburgh to his later years in the Middle East.
Early Life and Education
Henry Ossawa Tanner was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on June 21, 1859. His parents, Benjamin and Sarah Tanner, were prominent members of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
His father was a bishop, and his mother was a teacher. His family was highly educated and believed in educating their children.
Tanner’s father was a strong advocate for equal education for all children, and as such, he encouraged his children to pursue an education. Tanner developed an interest in art at an early age and received his first formal art education at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in Philadelphia.
His teachers at the academy included Thomas Eakins, a famous American painter who made significant contributions to modern art.
Paris and Abroad Influences
After completing his studies at the Pennsylvania Academy, Tanner set his sights on the French Academie Julian in Paris, where he was admitted in 1891. Interestingly, Tanner was not the first African American to study at the Academie Julian.
He was, however, the first to make a significant impact. Tanner’s time in Paris was fundamental to his artistic development.
He was exposed to the works of the great masters and was introduced to different art genres such as Orientalism. Orientalism, a genre that portrays the Orient as “exotic” and “mysterious,” became a significant influence in Tanner’s work.
This style drew on the artist’s interest in depictions of the Middle East, and it is evident in many of his paintings.
Art Genres and Death
Henry Ossawa Tanner was an artist who defied categorization. He explored several genres during his career, including religion, genre, and landscape painting.
Tanner’s deep religious convictions played a significant role in his art. His paintings often depicted biblical stories, and he had an incredible ability to convey the emotions of the characters he painted.
Tanner also explored genre paintings, which depict scenes from everyday life, such as The Banjo Lesson. The painting is a reflection of the life of African Americans shortly after the abolishment of slavery.
Tanner died on May 25, 1937, in Paris, France, at the age of 77. His body was buried in the famous Pere Lachaise Cemetery, which also features other famous artists such as Oscar Wilde and Edith Piaf.
The Banjo Lesson (1893) in Context
The Banjo Lesson is one of Henry Ossawa Tanner’s most famous works and a great example of Tanner’s exploration of genre painting. The painting depicts an older man teaching a young boy how to play the banjo.
The painting portrays a scene of African American life that highlights the importance of music in their culture. The Banjo Lesson is significant because it captures the struggle of African Americans in the aftermath of slavery.
Overview of Tanner’s Artwork Collection
Henry Ossawa Tanner left behind an impressive collection of artwork that encompasses different genres and styles. His paintings cover a range of topics, including biblical narratives, religious themes, portraits, and genre scenes.
Brief Socio-Historical Background
Tanner’s art was also influenced by the socio-historical context of his period. He grew up in a time when slavery was still prevalent in America, and the after-effects of that period were still being felt by African Americans.
Tanner was a prominent member of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, which played a significant role in the Civil Rights Movement.
Story Behind The Banjo Lesson
The Banjo Lesson was inspired by a story published in Harper’s Young People in 1886. The story, Uncle Tim’s Compromise on Christmas, was written by Ruth McEnery Stuart.
The book follows the story of a young African American boy, Tim, who dreams of owning a banjo. The book’s central theme is how Tim tries to get his dream banjo and how his grandfather helps him realize his dream.
Tanner was inspired by this story and created The Banjo Lesson as a reflection of African American life. In conclusion, Henry Ossawa Tanner was an accomplished artist who left behind an impressive collection of artwork that has become part of American history.
His unique style and exploration of different genres set him apart from his contemporaries. His legacy continues to inspire artists worldwide, and his reflections of African American life continue to impact how we view history today.
Henry Ossawa Tanner’s works serve as a reminder that art is a powerful tool that can affect social change. Henry Ossawa Tanner was a prominent African American artist who created a significant body of work during his lifetime.
His artwork is characterized by its unique style and exploration of different genres. In this article, we provide a contextual and formal analysis of Henry Ossawa Tanner’s life and artwork, with a focus on The Banjo Lesson.
Contextual Analysis: A Brief Socio-Historical Overview
Henry Ossawa Tanner was born in 1859 in Pittsburgh. His father was a bishop in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, and his mother was a teacher.
Tanner’s parents were active supporters of the Underground Railroad, a network of secret routes and safe houses used by slaves to escape to freedom in the North. Thus, Tanner’s upbringing was steeped in the African American struggle for equality and freedom.
Tanner’s early artistic education was shaped by his family’s religious background. He was trained as a realist artist, and his studies at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in Philadelphia were under the tutelage of Thomas Eakins.
After completing his studies, Tanner moved to Paris, where he was exposed to Impressionism and Symbolism. These art movements would greatly influence his art later in life.
The Banjo Lesson was inspired by a book titled Uncle Tim’s Compromise on Christmas, written by Ruth McEnery Stuart. The story follows a young African American boy who dreams of owning a banjo, and his grandfather teaches him how to play it.
Tanner was drawn to the story because of his experience with typhoid fever during his travels to North Carolina. This experience created a lasting impression of the poverty that existed in the rural areas of the South.
Tanner’s use of photography and illustration in The Banjo Lesson reflects his desire to connect with his African American heritage. The painting is a testament to his belief in the power of art to create social change and to improve the lives of those who struggled with poverty and social injustice.
Formal Analysis: A Brief Compositional Overview
The Banjo Lesson features an interior space where an older African American man is teaching a young boy how to play the banjo. The painting is characterized by a sense of quiet concentration, with both subjects fully focused on the task at hand.
The boy is seated on a wooden stool, and the older man is standing behind him, holding the banjo and guiding the boy’s hands. Tanner’s use of light and shadow is masterful in The Banjo Lesson.
The painting is bathed in neutral tones, and the sources of light in the scene are not visible. However, the interplay of shadow and light creates a sense of depth and intimacy in the space.
Tanner’s use of light and shadow is reminiscent of the works of Gustave Courbet and Jean-Francois Millet. The Banjo Lesson has had a significant impact on the world of art.
The painting marked a turning point in Tanner’s career, as he began to move in a different direction with his work. The Banjo Lesson is widely regarded as a masterpiece of American genre painting and has been exhibited in many prestigious museums worldwide.
Tanner’s work is another example of how African American artists can produce artwork that engages with and transforms dominant cultural narratives.
Conclusion
Henry Ossawa Tanner’s contributions to the world of art continue to have a significant impact on modern art. His work reflects his upbringing in the African Methodist Episcopal Church and his exposure to different art movements during his travels throughout Europe.
The Banjo Lesson, in particular, stands as a testament to Tanner’s ability to incorporate narratives of African American life and culture into his artwork. Ultimately, Tanner’s work demonstrates how art can be an essential tool for social change and how it can inspire generations of artists to come.
In conclusion, Henry Ossawa Tanner was an influential African American artist whose work remains significant today. This article provided a contextual and formal analysis of Tanner’s life and artwork, highlighting his upbringing in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, his exposure to different art movements during his travels throughout Europe, and his use of light and shadow in The Banjo Lesson.
The Banjo Lesson, in particular, is viewed as a masterpiece of American genre painting and stands as a testament to how art can serve as a tool for social change. Overall, Tanner’s legacy shows how African American artists can contribute greatly to the world of art, and his work continues to inspire generations of artists to come.