Research Catalog

Title

Aaron Douglas papers, 1924-1939.

Author

Douglas, Aaron.

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Additional Authors

• Bontemps, Arna Wendell, 1902-1973.
• Douglas, Alta Sawyer.

Description

.4 lin. ft.

Summary

Harlem Renaissance artist Aaron Douglas' Papers consist of personal correspondence, letters of introduction, invitations, programs, and printed material. Of particular interest 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 discussed his 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 letterhead of the short-lived magazine, "Fire!!."

Subjects

• African American painters
• African American art
• Douglas, Aaron
• African American artists
• Ethnic art > United States
• African Americans in art
• Fire!!
• Artists > United States
• Black author
• Harlem Renaissance

Note

• Photographs transferred to Photographs and Prints Division.
• Material transferred to Art and Artifacts Division.

Access (note)

• Researchers are restricted to photocopies of correspondence.

Additional Formats (note)

• photocopies available.

Source (note)

• Edgecombe Avenue Tenants Association

Biography (note)

• 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 an Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts upon him in 1973. Douglas died in Nashville, Tenn. in 1979.

Call Number

Sc MG 308

OCLC

144652264

Author

Douglas, Aaron.

Title

Aaron Douglas papers, 1924-1939.

Additional Formats

Correspondence photocopies available.

Access

Researchers are restricted to photocopies of correspondence.

Biography

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 an Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts upon him in 1973. Douglas died in Nashville, Tenn. in 1979.

Connect to:

Finding Aid

Local Subject

Black author.

Added Author

Bontemps, Arna Wendell, 1902-1973.

Douglas, Alta Sawyer.

Research Call Number

Sc MG 308