Aaron Douglas Inspired Coloring Page

“No Justice, No Peace,” drawn by Javelin Manansala, inspired by Aaron Douglas.

At the forefront of the Harlem Renaissance, Aaron Douglas, also known as “The Father of African American Art,“ played a pivotal role in promoting African American culture through the visual arts.

Douglas was born and raised in Topeka, Kansas, in 1899 taking up the arts at an early age. His mother’s watercolor paintings greatly inspired him and, from then on, he pursued a career in the arts. He became a high school teacher for two years and then subsequently moved to New York City’s Harlem neighborhood, the epicenter for the African American art scene.

Innovative, modern, geometric colorism, are the best words to describe Douglas’ art style. Inspired by the boldness and angularity of Art Deco and Egyptian art, his work typically features colored silhouettes and topics highlighting African American livelihood and struggles. He also took great inspiration from West Africa, using his heritage as fuel for his creative spirit.

Aspects of Negro Life: From Slavery Through Reconstruction, Aaron Douglas, 1934, Oil on Canvas, 5 ft. x 11 ft. 7 in. (152.4 x 353.1 cm)

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Due to his powerful graphics, he became a highly sought after illustrator for many prominent writers like poet James Johnson and author Paul Morand. Additionally, he became a popular muralist with famous works like “Aspects of Negro Life,” a series that highlighted specific moments of the African American experience.

Later in his career, he ultimately became a working art teacher, graduating from Columbia University’s Teacher College in 1941 while still exploring and creating his own art. Throughout his life, he had gained massive recognition for his pieces, earning fellowships and grants that allowed him to grow and develop as a creator. Notably, President John F. Kennedy invited Douglas to the centennial celebration of the Emancipation Proclamation in 1963.

(First, Left) The Negro in African Setting (From the Series Aspects of Negro Life), Aaron Douglas, 1934, Gouache with Touches of Graphite on Illustration Board, 372 x 406 mm, Art Institute Chicago

(Second, Middle) Into Bondage, Aarong Douglas, 1936, Oil on Canvas, 153.4 × 153.7 cm, National Gallery of Art

(Third, Right) Building More Stately Manors, Aaron Douglas, 1944, Oil on Canvas Board, 50.8 x 40.6 cm, Risd Museum

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In 1979, Aaron Douglas died at 79 due to a pulmonary embolism. He is now cemented in American Art history, recognizing him as one of the leading artists of the Harlem Renaissance.

And that’s art.