LeRoy Henderson, American, born 1936; Untitled (Portrait of Romare Bearden), 1956–1988; gelatin silver print; image: 7 1/16 × 5 1/8 inches; Saint Louis Art Museum, The Thelma and Bert Ollie Memorial Collection, Gift of Ronald and Monique Ollie 157:2017; © LeRoy Henderson
History
Romare Bearden is recognized as one of the most creative and original visual artists of the 20th century. He was known especially for his innovative collages, but also notably worked in watercolor, oil, photomontage, and printmaking. Born in 1911, in Charlotte, North Carolina, he grew up in New York City’s Harlem neighborhood. After graduating from New York University, he began producing political cartoons for The Crisis, the official magazine of the NAACP. Bearden’s first solo show was held in Harlem in 1940, and by the 1950s he was nationally acclaimed. To deepen his knowledge of philosophy and art, he used the G.I. Bill to study in Paris in 1950.
Bearden rose to prominence at a time when African American artists had few opportunities to study art, sell their works in galleries, or exhibit them at museums, which led to his life-long work in education and community alongside his artistic production. He co-founded artist collectives such as Spiral to create art and discuss the responsibility of the arts and artists in the civil rights movement. He was also an inaugural member of the Studio Museum in Harlem. His life and art encompass a broad range of intellectual and scholarly interests, including music, performing arts, history, literature, and global art. He died in New York City in 1988, at the age of 76.
The Romare Bearden Foundation was established in 1990 by the estate of Romare Bearden (1911-1988) to preserve and perpetuate his legacy.
The Romare Bearden Foundation
The Romare Bearden Foundation Mission
The Romare Bearden Foundation was established in 1990 by the estate of Romare Bearden (1911-1988) to preserve and perpetuate his legacy.
The Foundation realizes its mission by: preserving a collection of Bearden’s artworks and extensive archives of books, articles, letters, photographs and other materials; hosting, supporting and presenting scholarly and public programs, including symposia, panel presentations and school-based programs featuring Bearden’s art and life; providing support for and encouragement of museum exhibitions and new scholarly research on Bearden and his contributions to twentieth-century art.
Our Collaboration
The Foundation has worked with the Saint Louis Art Museum since 2015 to host the Romare Bearden Fellows in New York. This collaboration allows fellows an opportunity to learn more about the Foundation and their mission.