Aaron Douglas
Liz Santoro
Biography
Aaron Douglas was born in Topeka, Kansas in 1899. After graduating at University of Nebraska, Lincoln, he pursued his passion of art and earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1922. He later moved to New York City to find Harlem's neighborhood an amazing art scene. In 1925, Douglas became involved in illustrating for Opportunity, The Crisis and the NAACP. He created powerful images of African-American life and struggles, and won awards for his work. Douglas created his best paintings during the 1930s. His most legendary piece was called "Aspects of Negro Life". This was a four-panel moral incorporating different parts on the African-American experience. He committed to learning and growing as an artist and was later funded to places as his painting trips. JFK invited him to a celebration at the White House and also received an honorary decorate. Aaron Douglas later died at the age of 79 in 1979. This man was to be known as "The Father of Black Renaissance Art".