Aspects of Negro Life: The Negro in an African Setting
Aspects of Negro Life: An Idyll of the Deep South
Aspects of Negro Life: From Slavery Through Reconstruction
Aspects of Negro Life: Song of the Towers
The paintings in the series above were painted by Aaron Douglas in New York during the Harlem Renaissance in 1934. They were commissioned by the Public Works of Art Project, a program that employed artists during the Great Depression, as a mural for The New York Public Library’s 135th St. branch. The paintings portray the story of black history from the beginning in Africa before the slave trade, to the time of slavery in the Deep South, to the freeing of slaves and Reconstruction, all the way up to the migration North and the Harlem Renaissance. In all four paintings there is one common element: Music. A common theme of the Harlem Renaissance was tracing African roots back to Africa. The first painting, The Negro in the African Setting, displays the community of Africans enjoying the activity of dance. As the culture evolves even overseas and in the most desperate situations, such community revolving around music and dance persists. It comforts them in a time of forced slave labor, it urges them forward in a time of celebration of freedom, and it brings them glory in the dawning of the age of jazz when their culture is shared with the rest of the world.
I find this series to be absolutely stunning. It portrays the indestructability of a culture, its history and evolution, and the perseverance of a people. The sillouhetted style creates an atmosphere of community where cultural independence is significant. Despite all of the tragedy there is strength in the community and the culture and this is so well displayed in the pictures. The slave labor portrayed in An Idyll of the Deep South is not the main focus, but a sideline, as if to say slavery did not make the slave. Also the abstract characteristics of the paintings allow for interpretation. In the final piece, Song of the Towers, the black man is finally free from the grasp of serfdom (the hand in the corner) and stands tall with the new opportunities presented in the North. There is honest work, the brief case, and above all the saxophone, not only an instrument, but a symbol of heritage.
The library in which this mural originally belonged to is now the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.
I love these pieces. I think Douglas put a lot of thought into crasting pieces that would display heritage and self. There is a common sense of pride in this series. The colors and lines used in this set really bring about a sense of sound and movement. They almost make me want to get up and dance. I had seen these separate but it was nice to see them as a series. Thank you. I know these are murals but any idea how big they are? It would really bring out emotions if they were life-size figures dancing in front of you.
I am so glad that I came across your blog! These pieces are amazing and they really give off a style of their own for this time period in the arts as well as a symbolism to the music and entertainment that was going on at the time. Great blog, I really enjoyed all of the information you provided especially about the series and not just one piece. I think it put it into perspective for me. It makes me wonder what had a bigger influence, the paintings or the entertainment on the paintings?
This blog was a great read. your pictures were great and related to your information great. I really got the feel of the Harlem Renaissance though the pictures and the great information. I liked when you said, “t comforts them in a time of forced slave labor, it urges them forward in a time of celebration of freedom, and it brings them glory in the dawning of the age of jazz when their culture is shared with the rest of the world.”
Great Job!!!!!
I love this post and the paintings! I love the way the paintings show the heritage and history of the people in an independent and dignified way. Also I really like the colors and the concentric circles that create another sort of unifying theme in the series. AND you managed to include both the influence of African Americans and the impact of the Great Depression in one post. Excellent job!