Artworks by Black painters in the Smithsonian Collection
(4 min read) With 19 museums, galleries, and research facilities attracting 22 million people a year, the Smithsonian Institution is among the most-visited attractions in the United States. Travelers from around the world particularly head to Washington D.C.’s National Mall to see the famed Smithsonian castle and neighboring museums. While the air and space museum and the natural history museum draw the biggest crowds, the Smithsonian’s art museums are noteworthy no less.
As we celebrate the beauty of diversity and inclusivity this Black History Month, we examine the Smithsonian collections for artworks painted by pioneering African American artists.
Kiss from a rose
Painted on linen, Still Life with Roses depicts a bouquet of five off-white blooms with sprays of greenery in a deep brown bowl. Scattered around the bowl are several other blossoms and some more vegetation. Peeking from behind is a cluster of bright red holly. Hanging in the background is a yellow, red, and white plaid textile.
Charles Ethan Porter was well-known for his still-life works. According to the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Porter showed talent at a young age, but racial discrimination made it difficult for him to find training. Born to a free African-American family in Connecticut, Porter later studied art in New York and Paris.
Sweet violets
A cluster of violets, painted in navy blues and deep purples, lie in a messy heap against a light gray surface and backdrop. This oil painting, titled Violets, was painted around 1890 by Pauline Powell Burns. Like Porter, California-born Burns demonstrated creative talent at a tender age and pursued years of study. An 1890 exhibition of Burn’s paintings was the first by an African-American artist in the state.
Paint it black
The tightly compressed space in Johnson’s 1934 self-portrait speaks volumes about the modern artist. The easel on the left side of the painting refers to his artistic profession. The masks in the background strongly allude to his African-American heritage. (Art history texts cite African masks as an influence on modern art.)
The artwork’s exhibition label further states that 1934 proved to be Johnson’s most prolific and the last year of his short life.
Sea change
Seascapes and coastlines were a favorite subject for trading ship cook and painter Edward Mitchell Bannister. In this undated rendering of the Narragansett Bay in Rhode Island, Bannister focuses his attention on the warm coastal sunset. The Smithsonian American Art Museums writes that he painted nature as a calm and submissive force in his work.
Ebb and flow
Canadian-born artist Edward Mitchell Bannister and his wife moved from Boston to Providence, Rhode Island. In the 1870s, Providence had a rapidly growing immigrant population, and African Americans struggled to look for job opportunities. Nevertheless, Bannister made a name for himself by painting pastoral landscapes, such as the coastline portrayed above, for wealthy patrons.
Genius belongs to everyone
What we’ve featured is just the tip of the creativity iceberg. There many more paintings, most of which are striking and moving, by African-American artists in the collections of the Smithsonian Institution. Explore their collections online, and be amazed by the outpouring of artistic expression and ingenuity.
On your next trip to Washington, D.C., take the time to discover the different Smithsonian museums. There are museums dedicated to African-American history and culture, American art, and African art. Their fine collections alone will stir your emotions and tug at your heartstrings.
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39 Comments
These are pieces are super impressive and just breathtaking
I love that you highlighted these artists! I hope the museums here in the DC area open soon and we can go with the kids to enjoy them. I love that soon as I saw the Edward Mitchell Bannister piece I knew it was New England and goodness I miss home. He did a beautiful job.
You’re right, I’ve been to DC a few times, but never to the art museums. I am drawn particularly to the painting Ebb and Flow, but that could be my love of the beach and the water.
I think we skipped the art museums and went straight for the air and space lol. These look stunning and definitely worth a visit when we go back.
Aaaah, there’s something satisfying about seeing really nice artwork.
These are so lovely, thank you for sharing with us!
These aren’t mosaics, I was surprise as I am used to your mosaic features, but these paintings are all lovely!
These look like beautiful, vibrant pieces of work. Would be amazing to see them in person.
It’s fun looking at the wall arts. These look so cool and the details are perfect.
Those are all wonderful pieces of artwork. I’ve always had a thing for flower related paintings, they look nice.
These are all beautiful, but my favorite is the violets.
these pieces of artwork are beautiful and amazing. Love them
Oh my gosh I love (and sooooo miss) visiting the Smithsonian. These are some great examples of the fabulous paintings they house.
These are such beautiful pieces of work! I have always wanted to go and see them in person!
These are all beautiful paintings! I can’t wait to visit D.C and all it’s wonderful museums again!
This artwork is absolutely gorgeous. I’m a huge fan of the Boat on Sea by Edward Mitchell Bannister.
These are really beautiful. All these painters are so good!
Beautiful exhibit..Kiss from a Rose is my favorite. I would love to visit the Smithsonian again soon!
These are all gorgeous! I would love to see this collection in person one day.
The paintings look so real and gorgeous. Amazing artwork, hats off I must say.
Every single piece presented in this post is stunning. But in real life, they are masterpieces.
These are such beautiful paintings. My favourite has to be SEA CHANGE.
all these are stunning, i love all of them. i still need to get art work for my house.
Beautiful paintings indeed….
I recently read about Laura Wheeler Waring in a children’s biography about her, and she is another artist whose work is displayed there.
These are marvelous works of art! I have always loved roaming museums and galleries. Such beautiful talent to behold 🙂
Great list and a great way to bring attention to Black artists. Hopefully more art museums start to showcase more work from a diverse group of people.
These are all beautiful works of art and I would love to get there to see them in person for sure 🙂
Breathtaking paintings. Boat on the sea would be my favorite
beautiful paintings, very selection! the colors are so warm and pleasing, somehow I captivated by self portrait, the eyes are mesmerizing
I love their artwork. I feel like it has more depth and passion than the usual. It would be a great addition to a collection.
I love the paintings. very creative.
These paintings are really impressive! My favorite is the Sea Change. Lovely!
Some beautiful pieces you have featured here of the Smithsonian collection, my fav is the self portrait of Malvin Gray Johnson
These are wonderful works by black artists featured in the Smithsonian collection. It is so important to note the prevalence of African American artists who have been living in the shadows for so long.
How lovely are all these artwork pieces here. It is nice to explore the art world that is for sure x
These are all wonderful works of art and I love checking out pieces and works of art from all cultures.
Oh that art work is stunning…Thanks for sharing it with us…
The Sweet Violets is a vibe. They are all nice but that is my favorite.
A very interesting read. It’s lovely to see how these African Americans were able to stand out despite their race.