Romare Bearden

Romare Howard Bearden was born in Charlotte, North Carolina in 1914. He grew up in New York City in Harlem, during the Harlem Renaissance and was surrounded by artists and intellectuals. After obtaining a Bachelor's degree in Mathematics from New York University he studied under George Grosz at the Art Students League in New York and later at Colulmbia University. He became a member of the "306" group and continued to study European painting. After serving in the army during WWII, Bearden moved to Paris to study philosophy at the Sorbonne. During this time he traveled around Europe and developed his mature semi-abstract collage style. He later returned to New York and in the mid-1940's gained recoginition for his narrative painting incorporating themes of ritual, music and family. In the 1960's he joined the "Spiral" group in an effort ot contribute his art to the civil rights movement in the United States. These later works derived influence from European painting, jazz, blues and the African American experience. Bearden died on March 11, 1988 in New York City leaving a collection of paintings diverse in medium, iconography and style.

Romare Bearden Images:
Jammin’ At The Savoy
Out Chorus
Quiltying Time
She-Ba
Showtime
The Piano Lesson
Uptown Sunday Night Session
Wrapping It Up at The Lafayette