"Girl in a Pink Dress," Laura Wheeler Waring, 1927.

Waring (1887-1948) was THE great portrait artist of the Harlem Renaissance. Her depictions of major figures in Black history make her worthy of study.

Here we have a portrait of an unidentified young Black woman in a stylist 20s dress, with a stylish 20s hairdo. This is a young lady of fashion, very up-to-the-minute.

But also, her youth, the choice of pink for her dress, and the corsage at her shoulder...this hints at blossoming and young vitality. "Here," Wheeler may be saying, "is the future of Black America, just coming into blossom!"

I've talked about Waring before, including her many portraits and her years teaching, so I won't go into her life story. But I just love this portrait of a young, vital, serene woman, waiting to take on the world.

Happy Portrait Monday!

From a private collection.

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"Girl in a Green Cap," Laura Wheeler Waring, 1930.

Waring (1887-1948) was THE great portraitist of the Harlem Renaissance, painting many of the notable Black people of the era.

Born in Hartford, CT, the daughter of a minister, her family was educated and cultured, and her ancestors had been part of the Underground Railroad. She attended the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in Philadelphia, graduating in 1914. She traveled briefly in Europe, returning home when WWI started, but returned in the 20s, where she honed her style and exhibited in Paris galleries.

Returning to the US in 1927, she was commissioned to do portraits of figures of the Harlem Renaissance; this project, along with her work teaching at Cheyney University, an HBCU outside Philadelphia, was to consume the rest of her life. Her work is now featured in some of the country's top museums and galleries.

The subject of this portrait is unknown, but her calm confidence and self-assurance, and that knockout outfit, are beyond question.

Happy Portrait Monday!

From the Howard University Gallery of Art, Washington, DC.

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"Study of a Student," Laura Wheeler Waring, c. 1940s.

Waring (1887-1948) was one of the great painters of the Harlem Renaissance, known for her deservedly famous portraits of figures such as singer Marian Anderson or author Jesse Redmon Fauset. Here we have a portrait of an unidentified woman, looking bored as anything. I feel for her!

The handling seems a bit clumsy, but this was only a study, something done in preparation for another painting, so one can't expect perfection from it. So many of her other portraits are detailed and realistic....but despite being basically a rough draft, it still has charm.

From the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia.

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"Marian Anderson," Laura Wheeler Waring, 1944.

Waring (1887-1948) came from an educated Black family (her father was a Presbyterian minister) and studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. She was the first Black woman to win the Cresson Memorial Scholarship which enabled her to travel to Paris. There she was able to exhibit her work and win awards and acclaim.

She returned to the US and became involved in the Harlem Renaissance, and was commissioned to do a series of portraits of prominent Black Americans, like this one.

Marian Anderson (1897-1993) was a legendary contralto. She's famous for being banned from performing at DAR Constitution Hall in 1939; Eleanor Roosevelt helped arrange for Anderson to give an open-air concert at Lincoln Memorial on Easter Sunday instead, which was heard by millions of radio listeners. Anderson was the first Black woman to perform with the Metropolitan Opera, and became an icon of the Civil Rights movement. She was also the first-ever winner of the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1963.

So, go look up Waring's paintings, and listen to Anderson's music! Two great legacies to investigate!

From the National Portrait Gallery, Washington, DC.

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