Reflecting On The Harlem Renaissance

Available in the gallery store is a 2027 wall calendar that’ll not only help you keep track of your year, but will also add art to your space. Featuring artworks from the Harlem Renaissance time period (~ 1918-1940). There’s a story behind every piece — I hope this post guides you to explore each a little bit deeper.

Dancers in Harlem

Alexander Deyneka, 1931

Invited to the United States by the Philadelphia Museum of Art to teach classes, Russian artist , Alexandria Deyneka became fascinated with American life. This included Harlem, New York  where African American jazz and dancers were abundant. This is a sketch of an African American couple dancing.

The Dance

Alexis Preller, 1936

Alexis Preller was a South African Artist. Although he had never set foot in Paris until 1937, his piece The Dance is heavily influenced by French American jazz and Harlem Renaissance performer, Josephine Baker.

Harlem 100 Mwenso and Shakes

Mayo Performing Arts Center, 2021

This is a poster designed in house at the Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown, New Jersey celebrating 100 years of the Harlem Renaissance with live performances by global artists Mwenso and the Shakes.

Harlem

William L’Engle, 1928

The Harlem Renaissance was not just a time to celebrate Black writers and artists, but also served as a safe space for Black queer culture to emerge. American artist William L’Engle’s piece , Harlem, was used in the New York Historical's 2026 “Gay Harlem Renaissance” exhibition to depict gay and queer couples during the Harlem Renaissance.

Harlem Swing Dance Studies

Martin French, 2020

One of the themes in Martin French work is jazz; he has been commissioned for work for the annual Jazz at the Lincoln show in New York. He often sketches Harlem Renaissance characters in a swing dance motion.

I’m just Wild about Harry (Sheet music art cover

Starmer Brothers, 1921

The Starmer Brothers were known for their illustrations of sheet music covers during the 1920s.  I’m Just Wild about Harry was a popular song in the all Black cast, Broadway musical Shuffle Along.

Hot Jazz

Franz Kline, 1940

Artist Franz Kline was a New York artist. Hot Jazz was inspired by his love for jazz music during the 1940s and displaced in a local tavern at the time.

A Night Club Map of Harlem

E Simms Cambell, 1932

E Simms Cambell was the first African American cartoonist published nationally. He created this map to identify popular spots- and included his own fun notes- in Harlem, New York during the 1930s.

Harlem is Heaven (Movie poster)

Unknown, 1932

The artist for this poster art for the musical film, Harlem is Heaven, is unknown. It featured an all Black cast including Bill “Bojangles” Robinson.

Gone Harlem (Movie poster)

Unknown, 1939

The artist for this poster art for the film, Gone Harlem, is unknown. This film featured an all Black cast.

Rhapsody in Black

Isac Friedlander, 1930

When artist Isac Friedlander emigrated to the United States he was drawn to New York night life. This inspired him to create this piece on the jazz clubs of Harlem. The original was woodcut ink on paper. 

Dancers

Charles Alston, 1949

Charles Alston was an active artist during the Harlem Renaissance. He created this piece to highlight the vibrant jazz night life culture. He was the first African American director of the Works Progress Administration's Federal Art Project.