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Douglas, Aaron.
Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division
Researchers are restricted to photocopies of correspondence.
Harlem Renaissance artist Aaron Douglas' Papers consist ofpersonal correspondence, letters of introduction, invitations, programs, and printed material. Of particularinterest are the 83 undated letters, which make up the bulk of the collection, that Douglas wrote to his future wife, Alta Sawyer. Most of the letters were written during an approximate two-year period while she was still married to her first husband and before she and Douglas were married in 1926. Douglas wrote Sawyer endearing letters that were also philosophical in tone and discussedhis artwork, aspirations and the social scene in Harlem. Included are two letters to Douglas from writer Arna Bontemps and an open letter from Douglas on the letterheadof the short-lived magazine, "Fire!!."
Born in Topeka, Kansas in 1898, Aaron Douglas became the most celebrated artist-illustrator to emerge from the Harlem Renaissance. He attended the University of Nebraska(F.B.A.), Columbia University Teachers College (M.A.) and l'Academie Scandinave in Paris. Douglas' career spanned sixty years of painting, drawing and illustrating. He created numerous murals, usually of allegorical scenes on the historical life or cultural background of African Americans. In 1937 Douglas became a professor of art and chairman of the Art Department at Fisk University (Nashville, Tenn.) where he remained until 1966, when he retired as professor emeritus. Fisk University bestowed anHonorary Doctorate of Fine Arts upon him in 1973. Douglas died in Nashville, Tenn. in 1979.
Shadows (1826). NYPL Art and Architecture Collection.
One of 700,000 pictures in the NYPL Digital Gallery
