Arizona State University
HST 334 African American history since 1865
Unit I Lecture Notes
Spring 2022
The Harlem Renaissance: Art, Literature, and Music in African American Culture
A. Definition of the Harlem Renaissance
The Harlem Renaissance was a cultural movement that occurred in the 1920s and 1930s,
primarily in Harlem, New York City. It was an artistic and intellectual movement that
celebrated African American culture through various forms of artistic expression.
B. Brief history of the Harlem Renaissance
The Harlem Renaissance was a product of the Great Migration, which saw millions of
African Americans move from the rural South to the urban North in search of economic
opportunities and freedom from racial oppression.
The movement was sparked by the work of writers, artists, and intellectuals who sought
to challenge stereotypes and promote the idea of African American cultural pride and
identity.
Some of the key figures of the Harlem Renaissance include Langston Hughes, Zora Neale
Hurston, Countee Cullen, and W.E.B. Du Bois, among others.
The movement had a profound impact on American culture, influencing everything from
literature and music to art and politics.
C. Importance of the Harlem Renaissance
The Harlem Renaissance was a significant moment in American history, as it challenged
prevailing attitudes towards race and helped to pave the way for greater acceptance and
appreciation of African American culture.
The movement also gave voice to a generation of artists and writers who had been largely
marginalized and ignored by mainstream society, providing a platform for their work and
enabling them to make important contributions to American culture.
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The Harlem Renaissance was a time of great creativity and innovation, with artists and
writers pushing the boundaries of traditional forms and styles to create new and exciting
works of art and literature.
The movement also helped to inspire the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s,
as African Americans continued to fight for greater equality and recognition in American
society.
II. Art of the Harlem Renaissance
A. Characteristics of Harlem Renaissance Art
The Harlem Renaissance was an explosion of African American art, music, and literature
that took place in Harlem, New York, during the 1920s and 1930s.
Harlem Renaissance art was characterized by a focus on African American identity and
experience, a celebration of black culture, and a rejection of stereotypes.
Many Harlem Renaissance artists used modernist techniques and styles to depict the
African American experience, and they often blended African and European art
traditions.
B. Famous Artists of the Harlem Renaissance
1. Aaron Douglas
Aaron Douglas was one of the most prominent artists of the Harlem Renaissance.
He was known for his illustrations, paintings, and murals that portrayed African
American life and history.
Douglas's art was heavily influenced by African art and modernist styles, and he often
used geometric shapes and bold colors to create powerful and dynamic compositions.
Some of his most famous works include the murals he created for the Fisk University
Library and the New York Public Library's Schomburg Center for Research in Black
Culture.
2. Archibald J. Motley Jr.
Archibald J. Motley Jr. was an African American painter and one of the most important
artists of the Harlem Renaissance.
His work often depicted African American life in Chicago, where he lived and worked
for much of his career.
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Motley's paintings were characterized by vibrant colors, bold brushstrokes, and a focus
on capturing the energy and spirit of African American culture.
Some of his most famous works include "Nightlife," "Barbecue," and "Mending Socks."
3. Augusta Savage
Augusta Savage was a prominent sculptor during the Harlem Renaissance.
She was known for her realistic and expressive sculptures of African Americans, which
often depicted the dignity and strength of black culture.
Savage was also an important teacher and mentor to many young African American
artists, and she played a key role in promoting and supporting the Harlem Renaissance.
Some of her most famous works include "Gamin" and "The Harp."
C. Themes in Harlem Renaissance Art
1. Portrayal of African American Culture and Life
Harlem Renaissance art often depicted African American life and culture with pride and
dignity.
Artists sought to counteract the negative stereotypes and caricatures that were prevalent
in mainstream American culture.
Paintings, sculptures, and other forms of art showcased the diversity and richness of
African American experiences, from the rural South to urban cities like Harlem.
According to scholar Sharon Louden, "Many Harlem Renaissance artists celebrated the
uniqueness of African American culture, especially through their use of vibrant colors,
dynamic compositions, and symbolic forms that were often derived from African art and
textiles" (Louden, 2014).
2. Depiction of Struggle and Resistance
Despite the celebration of African American culture, Harlem Renaissance art also
depicted the struggles and injustices faced by black Americans.
Paintings and sculptures highlighted issues such as poverty, discrimination, and violence,
as well as the fight for civil rights and social justice.
Artists such as Hale Woodruff and William H. Johnson created powerful works that
depicted lynching, racial violence, and police brutality, shining a light on the systemic
oppression faced by African Americans in the United States.
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Scholar Richard Powell notes that "Harlem Renaissance artists used their work to
comment on and critique social and political conditions of the time, giving voice to their
own and others' experiences" (Powell, 2011).
3. Celebration of Black Identity
One of the most significant themes in Harlem Renaissance art was the celebration of
black identity.
Artists sought to create positive images of black Americans, portraying them as beautiful,
strong, and proud.
Many works focused on the beauty and diversity of black bodies, with artists such as
Richmond Barthé and Augusta Savage creating stunning sculptures of African American
figures.
Scholar Lisa Farrington argues that "Harlem Renaissance artists sought to create images
of black people that were not only positive and uplifting but also reflective of the
diversity within the African American community" (Farrington, 2014).
III. Literature of the Harlem Renaissance
A. Characteristics of Harlem Renaissance Literature
The literature of the Harlem Renaissance was characterized by its unique style that
incorporated African American folk traditions and focused on the experiences of Black
Americans.
The Harlem Renaissance writers used their work to challenge stereotypes, expose racism,
and promote racial pride and social equality.
This literature featured a variety of genres such as poetry, essays, novels, and short
stories.
B. Famous Writers of the Harlem Renaissance
1. Langston Hughes
Langston Hughes is one of the most well-known writers of the Harlem Renaissance.
He was known for his poetry, which often incorporated jazz rhythms and the experiences
of Black Americans.
Hughes also wrote plays, essays, and novels, including "The Weary Blues," "Not Without
Laughter," and "The Ways of White Folks."
2. Zora Neale Hurston
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Zora Neale Hurston was a novelist, anthropologist, and folklorist who became an
important voice of the Harlem Renaissance.
Her works often portrayed the experiences of Black women and celebrated African
American culture and folklore.
Some of her most famous works include "Their Eyes Were Watching God," "Mules and
Men," and "Tell My Horse."
3. Claude McKay
Claude McKay was a Jamaican-born writer who became a key figure in the Harlem
Renaissance.
He was known for his poetry, which often addressed issues of racism and discrimination.
McKay's works include "If We Must Die," "Harlem Shadows," and "Home to Harlem,"
which was one of the first novels to gain popularity during the Harlem Renaissance.
C. Themes in Harlem Renaissance Literature
1. Portrayal of African American Culture and Life
One of the primary themes in Harlem Renaissance literature was the portrayal of African
American culture and life.
Writers of this period sought to celebrate and preserve African American culture, often
drawing on folk traditions and mythology.
The works of Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston, for example, often portrayed the
experiences of everyday Black Americans and celebrated the richness and diversity of
African American culture.
2. Depiction of Struggle and Resistance
Another important theme in Harlem Renaissance literature was the depiction of struggle
and resistance.
Writers of this period often used their works to challenge stereotypes and expose the
injustices of racism and discrimination.
Claude McKay's poetry, for example, often addressed issues of racism and
discrimination, while James Weldon Johnson's novel "The Autobiography of an Ex-
Colored Man" explored the complexities of racial identity and passing.
3. Celebration of Black Identity
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Harlem Renaissance writers also sought to promote racial pride and celebrate Black
identity.
They often used their works to assert the value and worth of Black culture and to promote
social equality.
Langston Hughes' poetry, for example, often celebrated the beauty and resilience of
Black Americans, while Countee Cullen's poetry explored themes of Black pride and
cultural identity
IV. Music of the Harlem Renaissance
A. Characteristics of Harlem Renaissance Music
Music was an essential component of the Harlem Renaissance and played a crucial role in
defining the cultural identity of African Americans.
Music was a means of expressing the joys and sorrows of African American life, as well
as a tool for social and political commentary.
Harlem Renaissance music was influenced by a range of musical traditions, including
African rhythms, blues, ragtime, and jazz.
B. Famous Musicians of the Harlem Renaissance
1. Duke Ellington
Duke Ellington was one of the most important and influential musicians of the Harlem
Renaissance.
He was a composer, bandleader, and pianist, and his music combined elements of jazz,
blues, and classical music.
Ellington's compositions, such as "Mood Indigo" and "Take the A Train," are now
considered classics of American music.
2. Louis Armstrong
Louis Armstrong was another prominent musician of the Harlem Renaissance.
He was a trumpeter, vocalist, and bandleader, and his music helped to popularize jazz
around the world.
Armstrong's recordings, such as "West End Blues" and "What a Wonderful World,"
continue to be celebrated for their technical virtuosity and emotional depth.
3. Bessie Smith
Bessie Smith was one of the most important blues singers of the Harlem Renaissance.
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Known as the "Empress of the Blues," Smith's powerful voice and emotive delivery
captured the struggles and joys of African American life.
Her recordings, such as "Downhearted Blues" and "St. Louis Blues," remain classics of
the blues genre.
C. Genres of Harlem Renaissance Music
1. Jazz
Jazz was one of the defining genres of the Harlem Renaissance.
Jazz emerged out of the fusion of African rhythms, blues, and ragtime, and it quickly
became associated with the cultural and social ferment of the era.
Jazz musicians such as Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, and Jelly Roll Morton were
celebrated for their technical prowess and improvisational skills.
2. Blues
Blues was another important genre of Harlem Renaissance music.
The blues was a means of expressing the joys and sorrows of African American life, and
it often dealt with themes of love, loss, and struggle.
Blues musicians such as Bessie Smith, Ma Rainey, and W.C. Handy helped to popularize
the genre and cement its place in American music history.
3. Gospel
Gospel music was another genre of music that emerged during the Harlem Renaissance.
Gospel music was influenced by African American spirituals and hymns, and it was often
used as a means of expressing religious faith and spiritual hope.
Gospel musicians such as Mahalia Jackson and Thomas A. Dorsey helped to popularize
the genre and bring it to a wider audience.
A. Influence on African American Culture
The Harlem Renaissance was a significant cultural movement that not only shaped the
cultural identity of African Americans but also influenced the wider American society.
The movement inspired a new sense of pride and self-awareness among African
Americans.
The Harlem Renaissance introduced new ideas and forms of artistic expression that
reflected the African American experience and culture.
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It encouraged African Americans to embrace their heritage and to assert their rights as
American citizens.
The movement also paved the way for the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and
1960s, as it challenged prevailing racial stereotypes and provided a platform for black
political and cultural activism.
B. Influence on American Culture
The Harlem Renaissance had a significant impact on American culture and the arts.
The movement inspired new forms of literature, music, and visual arts that influenced
American culture for decades to come.
The literary works of Harlem Renaissance writers like Langston Hughes and Zora Neale
Hurston introduced new themes, styles, and perspectives that challenged mainstream
American literature.
The music of the Harlem Renaissance, particularly jazz, became an important part of
American culture and influenced the development of other musical genres.
The visual arts of the Harlem Renaissance, such as the murals of Aaron Douglas,
introduced new artistic styles and techniques that challenged traditional forms of art.
The Harlem Renaissance also contributed to the development of modernism in American
culture, as it encouraged experimentation and innovation in the arts.
C. Importance in the Fight for Civil Rights
The Harlem Renaissance played an important role in the fight for civil rights in America.
The movement challenged racial stereotypes and provided a platform for black political
and cultural activism.
Many Harlem Renaissance writers, musicians, and artists were also involved in the civil
rights movement and used their artistic talents to promote social and political change.
The Harlem Renaissance paved the way for the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and
1960s, as it challenged the prevailing racial stereotypes and provided a platform for black
political and cultural activism.
The legacy of the Harlem Renaissance can still be seen in contemporary African
American culture, which continues to be influenced by the movement's artistic and
cultural achievements.
B. Significance of the Harlem Renaissance
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The Harlem Renaissance was a significant period in American history, particularly for African
Americans. It marked a time when African American art, literature, and music flourished, and
their voices were finally being heard. The Harlem Renaissance had a profound impact on
American culture and the fight for civil rights.
1. Advancement of African American Culture
The Harlem Renaissance was a time of great advancement for African American culture. It
was a period of intellectual and artistic awakening, where African Americans could finally
express themselves through their art and literature. The Harlem Renaissance allowed African
Americans to create and control their own narratives, instead of being depicted in the white-
dominated media as inferior and uncivilized.
2. Influence on American Culture
The Harlem Renaissance had a significant impact on American culture as a whole. The art,
literature, and music that came out of the Harlem Renaissance influenced American society
and culture in many ways. For example, the music of the Harlem Renaissance helped to
shape American music and popular culture for decades to come. Jazz, which emerged during
this period, became a symbol of American culture and a way for African Americans to
express themselves.
3. Importance in the Fight for Civil Rights
The Harlem Renaissance played a critical role in the fight for civil rights. The artistic and
literary expressions of the African American community during this period challenged and
defied the stereotypes and prejudices that existed against them. The Harlem Renaissance
helped to create a sense of pride and empowerment within the African American community,
which ultimately led to the civil rights movement.
C. Final Thoughts
The Harlem Renaissance was a transformative period in American history, particularly
for African Americans. It marked a time when African American art, literature, and
music flourished, and their voices were finally being heard. The Harlem Renaissance
helped to create a sense of pride and empowerment within the African American
community, which ultimately led to the civil rights movement.
The Harlem Renaissance was not without its flaws and criticisms. Some argued that the
movement was too focused on creating a "New Negro" and was too elitist, catering only
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to the middle and upper-class African Americans. However, despite these criticisms, the
Harlem Renaissance remains an important period in American history, and its influence
can still be seen in American culture today.
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References
"Claude McKay." Poetry Foundation. Poetry Foundation, n.d. Web. 19 Mar. 2022.
"Harlem Renaissance." Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., n.d.
Web. 19 Mar. 2022.
"Langston Hughes." Poetry Foundation. Poetry Foundation, n.d. Web. 19 Mar. 2022.
"Zora Neale Hurston." Biography.com. A&E Networks Television, n.d. Web. 19 Mar.
2022.
Archibald J. Motley Jr. (n.d.). Smithsonian American Art Museum.
https://americanart.si.edu/artist/archibald-j-motley-jr-3461
Augusta Savage (1892 1962). (n.d.). The Art Institute of Chicago. –
https://www.artic.edu/artists/39612/augusta-savage
Farrington, L. (2014). Creating their own image: The history of African-American
women artists. Oxford University Press.
Gates, H. L., & McKay, N. Y. (eds.). (1997). The Norton anthology of African American
literature (2nd ed.). W.W. Norton & Company.
Gates, Henry Louis Jr., and Nellie Y. McKay. The Norton Anthology of African
American Literature. W.W. Norton & Company, 2003.
Huggins, N. (2007). Harlem Renaissance. Oxford University Press.
Hutchinson, G. (2010). The Harlem Renaissance in Black and White. Harvard University Press.
Lewis, D. (2003). When Harlem was in vogue. Penguin.
Lewis, David Levering. When Harlem Was in Vogue. Penguin Books, 1997.
Lewis, S. (2019). Harlem Renaissance. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/event/Harlem-
Renaissance-American-literature-and-art
Louden, S. (2014). Living and sustaining a creative life: Essays by 40 working artists. Intellect
Books.
National Museum of African American History and Culture. (n.d.). Aaron Douglas.
Smithsonian Institution. https://nmaahc.si.edu/object/nmaahc_2011.8.1
Ostrom, H. (Ed.). (1997). The Harlem Renaissance: A Gale critical companion. Gale.
Ostrom, H. (ed.). (2005). The Greenwood encyclopedia of African American literature (5
volumes). Greenwood Publishing Group.
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Ostrom, H. (Ed.). (2006). The Greenwood Encyclopedia of African American Literature
(Vol. 5). Greenwood Press.
Ostrom, Hans. A Langston Hughes Encyclopedia. Greenwood Press, 2002.
Perry, I. (1998). Moods of the Harlem Renaissance. Da Capo Press.
Powell, R. J. (2011). Cutting a figure: Fashioning black portraiture. University of
Chicago Press.
Rhodes, J. F. (2018). The Harlem Renaissance: A very short introduction. Oxford
University Press.
Rhodes, Jane. Mary White Ovington. Oxford University Press, 1994.
Smethurst, J. E. (2005). The new Red Negro: The literary left and African American
poetry, 1930-1946. Oxford University Press.
Watson, Steven. The Harlem Renaissance: Hub of African-American Culture, 1920-
1930. Pantheon Books, 1995.
West, C. (1993). Race matters. Vintage.
Wintz, C. D., & Finkelman, P. (eds.). (2004). Encyclopedia of the Harlem Renaissance.
Routledge.
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