Aaron Douglas
The Harlem Renaissance
Biography
Aaron Douglas was an African American painter and graphic artist. Douglas was born in Topeka, Kansas 1899. He developed an interest in art at an early age due to the inspiration from his mother's love for painting watercolors. He graduated from Topeka High school in 1917 and attended University of Nebraska, Lincoln. He persuaded art there and got a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1922. He also taught at Lincoln High School in Kansas City, Missouri for two years. After that he left to New York City.
Major Contributions
Aaron Douglas had illustrations in Opportunity, the National Urban League's magazine, and to The Crisis. He also displayed powerful images of African American life and struggles. One of his major commissions was illustrating Alain LeRoy Locke's book The New Negro.