Now that it is Black History Month, it seems appropriate that The Appraisal Group pay homage to the men and women of color who have contributed to the remarkable body of work that makes up the American art category. Many were classically trained, others came to fame as self-taught Outsiders. Still others with no formal training lived in a time when street art and fine art crossed paths. Their lineage and their acceptance into the American art scene is nothing less than historic.

Today these artists are finally recognized. Their work resides in the most important private collections and museums. Remarkably, The Appraisal Group still comes across hidden gems by great African-American artists in attics and on walls of homes where people simply don’t recognize what they have. Their names ring with acclaim: Thomas Watson Hunster (1851-1929), Lois Mailou Jones (1905-1998), Norman Lewis (1909-1979), Jean Michel Basquiat (1960-1988), Howard Finster (1916-2001) are just a few.

Perhaps the most noted of the classicists is Henry Ossawa Tanner (1859 – 1937). Philadelphia born,  At the time, many white artists refused to take on a black apprentice. Tanner was the first African-American artist to receive international acclaim. As the only African-Artist enrolled at the Philadelphia Academy of Fine Arts, he became a favorite of Thomas Eakins and got to know Robert Henri. In addition to painting, he was a photographer of note.

In his autobiography The Story of an Artist’s Life, Tanner describes the burden of racism:

“I was extremely timid and to be made to feel that I was not wanted, although in a place where I had every right to be, even months afterwards caused me sometimes weeks of pain. Every time any one of these disagreeable incidents came into my mind, my heart sank, and I was anew tortured by the thought of what I had endured, almost as much as the incident itself.“

To gain artistic acceptance, Tanner left America for France in late 1891. Except for occasional brief returns home, he spent the rest of his life there.

Recently The Appraisal Group discovered an atypical painting by Tanner. It is a Philadelphia scene of African-Americans feeding chickens. It sold at auction at New Orleans Auction Gallery.

Today Henry Ossawa Tanner is heralded. His works, when they can be found, command strong prices. In April 2015, “Boy and Sheep Under a Tree” commanded $245,000, including fees.

Editor’s Note: Today’s featured image is Tanner’s “Boy and Sheep”.