©Photo by Angela Weiss/AFP
The Metropolitan Museum’s latest exhibit shines a spotlight on the Harlem Renaissance, marking a pivotal shift in the recognition of modern art.
The Metropolitan Museum’s new exhibit, The Harlem Renaissance and Transatlantic Modernism, is a groundbreaking showcase that repositions the Harlem Renaissance as a key player in the realm of modern art. Opening Sunday, the exhibit presents a collection of approximately 160 pieces that portray Black American life from the 1920s to the 1940s. This collection not only features works by renowned artists but also introduces pieces by creators making their debut in this internationally acclaimed venue.
Spanning a dozen galleries, visitors are greeted with vibrant depictions of Black culture and life during the Harlem Renaissance. From the jubilant scenes of Black couples dancing to the graphic, colorful street scenes and introspective portraits, the exhibit offers a diverse and rich exploration of this pivotal era. The inclusion of works by European artists like Henri Matisse and Edvard Munch, depicting dark-skinned subjects, serves as a comparative study, highlighting the global reach and influence of the movement.
Met officials, including Chief Executive Max Hollein, hail the exhibit as a landmark event that champions the Harlem Renaissance as the first African-American-led movement in international modern art. Hollein emphasizes the significance of this reevaluation, pointing to the systemic cultural barriers that previously marginalized this movement. The exhibition, according to Hollein, is a step towards rectifying historical oversights and expanding the narratives within art history.
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The exhibit draws on loans from Historically Black universities and private collections, a testament to the preservation efforts of those who recognized the value of these works when they were not widely appreciated. Darren Walker, president of the Ford Foundation and sponsor of the exhibition, acknowledges the dedication of individuals like Madeline Murphy Rabb, who has long advocated for the recognition of her great-aunt Laura Wheeler Waring’s work, including the poignant Girl With Pomegranate.
The Harlem Renaissance, while often celebrated as a cultural phenomenon, has its complexities, extending beyond New York to include artists like Archibald Motley from Chicago and enduring figures such as Langston Hughes and Jacob Lawrence, who continued to contribute to the movement well beyond its traditionally recognized timeline. The movement’s genesis post-World War I, during the Great Migration, is linked not only to the pursuit of political rights but also to a profound aesthetic and cultural awakening, spearheaded by figures like Alain Locke. Locke’s vision, as outlined in his 1925 publication The New Negro, advocated for spiritual and aesthetic emancipation through the embrace of African visual heritage and European modernist techniques.
Artists such as William H. Johnson, who integrated the visual languages of European modernism with the rich cultural tapestry of Black America, exemplify this blend. Johnson’s work, alongside that of Laura Wheeler Waring, who studied in Paris and adopted a more realistic approach, illustrates the diversity of artistic expressions within the Harlem Renaissance. The Met’s curator, Denise Murrell, notes that the exhibit reflects a broader understanding of what modern art encompasses, including works that present a modern Black subjectivity previously overlooked or marginalized in art history narratives.
This exhibit challenges and expands the boundaries of what is traditionally considered modern art, offering a more inclusive and comprehensive view of its history.
With AFP
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