Aaron Douglas was born in Kansas in 1898, he taut art for several at the University of Nebraska until he decided to move to Harlem New York. Aaron Douglas is more notably known for his style of paintings. Most of his works depict African American men and woman more as shadows then fully depicted figures. He paints most of his depictions within dark background casting shadows in all corners of the painting. During his time in Harlem he spent most of his time painting banners and important posters for varies organizations.
In the painting titled “Building More Stately Mansions” We see six dark figures working in a quarry of some kind looking behind them in solemn remembrance. Over them we see shadowy reminders of great monuments of their peoples history and the great things they accomplished. Instead of the white people seeing this great achievements they only see slaves and farm workers and such I think this painting theme is “Desire to reconstruct the meaning of “negro”. This may not mean in the literal sense of changing the meaning of the word. Rather changing the meaning toward pre made assumptions that White individuals might make toward African Americans. To try and show these people as great thinkers, scholars, artist, and builders once more and still are.
After spending much time looking at this painting that he finished and took much pride in I feel as if I know where he was coming from in some small scene. His use of lines and shading is wonderful and how he uses them to paint maybe not a literal since but rather a glimpse into the past like a forgotten
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