Henry Ossawa Tanner is the most distinguished African-American artist of the nineteenth century, and the first one to rise above the racial discrimination prevalent at the time and achieve international acclaim. Tanner was born on June 21, 1859, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was only 13 when he decided to pursue a career in art, after seeing an artist at work while on a walk with his father through Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park.
“It was this simple event that, as it were, set me on fire,” Tanner later recounted of the experience. Eager to discourage his son's interest, Tanner‘s father sent him to apprentice as a flour miller. This endeavor didn’t last long, as Tanner struggled with various health issues, and working at the mill proved to be too strenuous for him. Interestingly, this worked in his favor. While recovering at home, Tanner started to develop his painting skills, and in 1880, at the age of 21, he was able to enroll at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts.
In 1888, the artist moved to Atlanta, Georgia, to try and make a living, and save money to travel to Europe while continuing to work on his art. It was during his time in Atlanta that Tanner met Bishop Joseph Crane Hartzell and his wife, who went on to become his main patrons. Thanks to their patronage, Tanner was able to achieve his dream of traveling to Europe in 1881. He initially intended to study art in Rome, but after a stop in Paris, he fell in love with the Parisian art scene and decided to stay.
Tanner’s artistic career blossomed in Paris. He went on to spend the rest of his life in France, where he felt a measure of relief from the racial prejudices he had to fight in his home country. In 1923, Tanner was made an honorary chevalier of the Order of the Legion of Honor, France’s highest honor, and in 1927, he became a full academician of the National Academy of Design. In his later years, Tanner was a symbol of hope and inspiration for African-American leaders and young artists, many of whom visited him in Paris. On May 25, 1937, Tanner died at his home in Paris.
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
Image Source: Flickr
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
Related: Robert S. Duncanson’s Landscape Art Was Truly Enchanting
Image Source: Flickr
Image Source: Wikipedia
Image Source: Wikipedia
Related: Top 16 Paintings Inspired by the Bible
Image Source: Wikipedia
Image Source: Wikipedia
Image Source: Wikipedia
Image Source: Wikipedia
Related: Landscape Artists and Their Masterpieces
Image Source: Wikipedia
Image Source: Wikipedia
Image Source: Wikipedia
Image Source: Wikipedia
Image Source: Wikipedia
Share this article with other art lovers!
These Paintings Transport You to the Mountains
Enjoy this beautiful collection of paintings by renowned Russian artist Nicholas Roerich.
This Artist Gives Broken Vessels a Unique Twist
Artist Glen Taylor gives new life to broken ceramics by mending them with wires, scissors, and found objects. See his best works here.
Artist Makes Beautiful Wood-Based Art Using Reclaimed Wood
Canadian artist Jynae Bergeron makes beautiful wood-based art using reclaimed wood
QUIZ: Recognize These Famous Renaissance Masterpieces?
If you're a fan of the Renaissance, then give this quiz a shot, and see how many famous paintings you can recognize.
The Art of This Historic Painter Is Worth Marveling At
Take a look at some impressive artworks by Francisco Pradilla Ortiz, a famous historical painter.
The Story of the Woman Behind Vincent van Gogh
Little is said about the woman behind Vincent van Gogh, but he was not always alone...
You Can't Watch This Performance Without Falling in Love...
Alice Fredenham seduced her judges when she delivered this immortal performance of 'My Funny Valentine'.
This Dance Group Tells an Emotional Story Through Shadows
Watch this shadow dance group put on an emotional performance.
Enjoy 60 Minutes of Cirque du Soleil Magic!
Want to see one of the best modern circus shows in the world?
Have You Ever Seen a Card Trick as Good as THIS One?
This magician's card tricks will leave you wondering how he managed to pull them off.
WATCH: Brightman & Bocelli's Musical Masterpiece
Sarah Brightman and Andrea Bocelli possess two of the most famous voices in the entire world, so you can imagine what happens when they join forces. Watch.
The Bold and Powerful Paintings of Georgia O’Keeffe
Georgia O’Keeffe was a talented American painter well-remembered for her bold and vivid works of flowers and desert landscapes.
100 Years of Dance: a Visual of How Dance Culture Evolved
Decide which is your favorite 20th-century dance genre by watching these dancers reproduce the most popular styles of the past century
This Hungarian Artist Has Perfected the Art of Lace Work
Agnes Herczeg, a Hungarian artist, creates artwork using lace. Some of her best works can be seen here.
10 Famous French Paintings That Will Captivate You
Over the centuries, French painters have created many masterpieces. Here you can find 10 of the most famous French paintings.
André Rieu In Another Beautiful Operatic Sensation!
In this video, we are treated to an incredible rendition of Caro Nome by an incredibly skilled operatic singer.
INTERACTIVE: Enjoy 15 of the Frank Sinatra's Greatest Hits
Whether you're a long-time fan or discovering his genius for the first time, this journey through Sinatra's greatest hits is sure to stir the soul and swing the heart!
11 Levels of Origami: A Fascinating Tutorial
Origami artist and physicist Robert J. Lang will show you 11 levels of complexity in creating paper folding art.
Quiet Night In? Let These Amazing Movies Rack Your Brains
Have you ever watched a movie that leaves you scratching your head right until the very last scene? That's what these 10 amazing movies do best. Enjoy!
Watch 32,000 Dominoes Fall in Perfect Synchronisation
We present to you 4 minutes of uninterrupted and absolutely incredible domino action, chock full of bright colors and great pictures.
The Most Gorgeous Painting of Our Beautiful World...
Richard MacNeil is an artist that captures the beauty of life in his oil paintings.
This Extraordinary Girl Sings Her Audience to Sweet Tears
By singing this Broadway class 'Defying Gravity' so amazingly, 12-year-old Beau Dermott defies her age. She could be the next singing sensation.
I Am Floored by This Russian Folk Dance!
The Russian folk dance in this video, as you're about to see, cannot be performed by just anyone...
See Andre Rieu Make Musical History With 'You Raise Me Up'
Watch in amazement as the legendary musician, André Rieu, performs an outstanding rendition of 'You Raise Me Up' alongside the Johann Strauss Orchestra.
The Visionary Art and Turbulent Life of Caravaggio
Caravaggio is one of the most renowned and celebrated painters today, but his life and art have a bigger story to tell than one would expect
14 Outstanding Animal Sculptures from Around the World
we have collected for you 14 special, familiar, surprising and sometimes charming animal sculptures, and the story behind them...
13 Terms in Art History You've Never Heard of
What are impasto, contrapposto, and (hold tight) - kalokagathia? You'll know by the end of this article.
I Would Rename This Man The Bubble Whisperer...
If there is a bubble expert in this world, we may have found him.
This John Lennon Song Reminds Me it's Good to Be Older
This beautiful presentation takes us through the annals of "Borrowed Time" - a great and meaningful song by John Lennon.
I Can’t Believe These Paper Sculptures are Hand-made
American sculptor Jeff Nishinaka creates masterworks out of paper. You won’t believe how detailed his handmade relief paper sculptures are.
Jason Gamrath Makes the Most Extravagant Glass Flowers
These glass flowers by Jason Gamrath are colorful, huge and exquisite. From orchids to fly catchers, these big glass flowers are shown in beautiful photos.
5 Hyper-Realistic Drawings That Just Seem IMPOSSIBLE
Prepare to be amazed by these incredibly lifelike drawings.
Lord of the Dance Performance With Michael Flatley!
This step dance performance by Michael Flatley and Lord of the Dance is beyond beautiful!
WATCH: This Dancing Family of 12 Is So Adorably Talented
This exciting dance and music performance is unique, because it's entirely the product of one very large and talented American family. They blew me away!
When This Woman Performs, All Eyes Widen...
The Incredible Kseniya Simonova creates beautiful works of art in sand.
This Pianist Has the Fastest Fingers in the World...
This Chinese pianist has the hands of a musical goddess. This is definitely not one to be missed!
This Paper Art is Unlike Anything You've Ever Seen Before
See the impressive paper art by Haruki Nakurama.
It is Amazing What This Artist Can Do With Two Strings
Listen to the beauty of a true Erhu master, creating exquisite music with just two strings...
These Two Talented Children Definitely Know How to Sing
These two cute children blew everyone away when they took to the stage to give a rendition of the famous song "You Raise Me Up."
You'll Need a Cold Shower After Watching This Sultry Dance...
Romance was sure in the air, during this electric dance performance. You might need a cold shower after watching this!
Timeless Quotes That Show the Staggering Power of Love
Learn more about the world's most popular play ever written, with these ten quotations and matching contextual explanations.
I Bet That You've Never Seen Cars Quite Like These...
Each year thousands of people gather at the Burning Man festival to gasp at some of the craziest-looking cars. Take a look.
6 Priceless Art Pieces Were Ruined by Reckless People
As these accidents show, tourists can be more reckless around precious art than you'd expect and the invaluable art pieces are completely or partially destroyed.
Full Length Concert: The Most Magical Classical Gala!
The most incredible classical gala full concert
You Haven’t Seen This Kind of Detail in Glass Art Before!
Glass is an unexpectedly flexible material - and artist Amber Cowan takes advantage of this fact to turn it into beautiful artwork...
Feast Your Eyes on Some Wonderful Realist Art
The Realism art movement originated in France in the 1850s. Take a look at these 7 famous paintings from the Realism art movement to feast your eyes upon.
The Most Underrated Christmas Movies You Never Saw
This holiday season, enjoy these underrated Christmas movies.