Hampton University Museum established the first African American art collection in the world when it acquired two paintings by Henry O. Tanner in 1894. The Museum opened in 1868, corresponding with Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute’s opening. The enduring mission of the museum is to “provide knowledge and understanding of, and respect for, diverse cultures and traditions.”  The collections were intended to generate a pride of ethnic identity and awareness of different cultures around the world. Teachers relied on the museum’s objects to supplement geography, cultures, and history lessons.

   In addition to its African, Pacific Islands, Diasporic, and American Indian collections, the Museum has an outstanding African American fine art collection that currently boasts more than 1,500 pieces. The collection includes Henry Tanner’s highly regarded work, The Banjo Lesson. The Harmon Foundation donated hundreds of works to the Hampton in 1967 which includes works from the majority of salient artists from the 1920s through the early 1960s.  John T. Biggers, Elizabeth Catlett, and Samella S. Lewis are among the featured artists who are connected to the visual arts at Hampton. The Museum also houses works by contemporary artists such as Romare Bearden, Sam Gilliam, Murry DePillars, Richard Mayhew, Moe Brooker, Raymond Saunders, David MacDonald, Ron Adams, Sonya Clark, James Phillips, and Margo Humphrey. It also houses artwork by more than forty contemporary self-trained artists including  Anderson  Johnson, Mose  Tolliver, Bessie  Harvey, Purvis Young, and Thornton Dial, Sr. The museum contains the world’s largest and most notable African American art collection.

 NMAAHC also has paintings on display by Henry O. Tanner, John Biggers, Elizabeth Catlett, James Phillips, Romare Bearden, Sam Gilliam, and Purvis Young in the Visual Art and the American Experience exhibition. This exhibition elevates the status of African American artists by categorizing their artistic creations as American art.

Credits and Sources:

 Hampton University Museum. “Collections.” http://museum.hamptonu.edu/collections.cfm.