1979
Romare Bearden was an inventive American modern artist whose unique visual style set him apart. Working with a variety of media, Bearden made paintings distinguished by a bold use of color and rich texture. His figurative, landscape and portrait prints had influences ranging from Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso to traditional Japanese, Chinese and African art.
Bearden was born in Charlotte, North Carolina, in 1911. He pursued a degree in education and attended Lincoln University, Boston University and New York University. At New York University he began taking courses in art. During his time there, he served as the art editor and lead cartoonist at a journal called The Medley. To further his creative passions, Bearden attended the Art Students League of New York. From 1935 to 1937, he was the editorial cartoonist for the Baltimore Afro-American.
Bearden worked as a social worker from the mid-1930s until the 1960s. He continued creating art during his evenings and weekends and began exhibiting in solo shows across the United States in the 1940s. Bearden would go on to exhibit throughout Europe.
Bearden was a prolific writer on social issues, and his words complemented his art. He was active in African American advocacy groups and helped found important community art venues and organizations like the Harlem Cultural Council in 1964 and the Studio Museum in Harlem in 1968. He also published books on art and African American art history.
Bearden earned many prestigious honors, including honorary doctorates from Davidson College, Atlanta University, Carnegie Mellon University and Pratt Institute. Bearden also received the New York City Mayor’s Award of Honor for Art and Culture in 1984 and the National Medal of Arts in 1987, presented by President Ronald Reagan. He died in New York City on March 12, 1988.
Today, Bearden's work is held in the collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.
On 1stDibs, find Romare Bearden’s prints, paintings, mixed media and more.
OUT CHORUS( RHYTHM SECTION) Hand Signed Lithograph, Abstract Jazz Portrait, Sax
By Romare Bearden
Located in Union City, NJ
OUT CHORUS(RHYTHM SECTION) is a limited edition color lithograph printed using traditional hand lithography methods on archival Arches printmaking paper, 100% acid free, in an editio...
Lithograph
BRASS SECTION(Jamming at Minton's) Signed Lithograph, Abstract Jazz Portrait
By Romare Bearden
Located in Union City, NJ
BRASS SECTION(Jamming at Minton's) is a limited edition color lithograph by the renowned African American artist Romare Bearden, printed on archival printmaking paper, 100% acid free...
Lithograph
TENOR SERMON Signed Lithograph, 1979, Abstract Jazz Quartet Portrait
By Romare Bearden
Located in Union City, NJ
TENOR SERMON is a limited edition color lithograph by the renowned African American artist Romare Bearden(September 2, 1911 – March 12, 1988), printed on archival printmaking paper, ...
Lithograph
INTRODUCTION FOR A BLUES QUEEN (Uptown At Savoy) Signed Lithograph, Jazz Club
By Romare Bearden
Located in Union City, NJ
INTRODUCTION FOR A BLUES QUEEN(Uptown At Savoy) is a limited edition color lithograph by the renowned African American artist Romare Bearden, printed on archival printmaking paper, ...
Lithograph
Louisiana Serenade Signed Lithograph, 1979, Contemporary Southern Evening Scene
By Romare Bearden
Located in Union City, NJ
LOUISIANA SERENADE is a limited edition color lithograph by the renowned African American artist Romare Bearden, printed on archival Somerset printmaking paper, 100% acid free, in an edition size of 175. LOUISIANA SERENADE, from Bearden's late 1970's colorful JAZZ series of musical imagery, captures a Southern evening depicting two male figures playing their guitars on the veranda while a seated woman sits listening beside a glowing glass chimney lamp. LOUISIANA SERENADE, printed in lush hues of green, red, yellow, purple, blue presents a free flowing watercolor-like abstract music portrait by the renowned American artist Romare Bearden. Print size - 24.5 x 33.75 inches, unframed, excellent condition, fresh colors, full bleed image, no margins, hand signed in pencil by Romare Bearden, inscribed P.P.(Printers Proof) aside from the edition of 175, printer's chop mark embossed on lower edge, print documentation provided Year Published - 1979 Edition size - 175, plus proofs Printer - J K Fine Art Editions Co. NY Publisher - London Arts Group, Detroit MI Cat. Reference: Figure 28, Page 39 in "A Graphic Odyssey: Romare Bearden as Printmaker" Edited by Gail Gelburd, Published by the University of Pennsylvania Press About the artist- Romare Bearden (1911-1988) Born in Charlotte, North Carolina, Romare Bearden is one of America’s most esteemed African American contemporary artists. Bearden grew up in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City and attended New York University where he received a degree in mathematics. Following graduation, Bearden turned his attention to art, pursuing further studies with George Grosz at the Art Students League. The artist served in the United States Army from 1942 to 1945. After leaving the Army, Bearden used funds from the GI Bill to travel to Europe for six months to study art history and philosophy at the Sorbonne. During this trip, Bearden had the opportunity to meet Henri Matisse, Georges Braque and Joan Miro, all of who had a strong influence on his artwork. Bearden’s work on canvas and collages expressed the complexities of rural Black America. “My intention is to reveal through pictorial complexities of the life I know,” he said. He integrated scenes from his childhood in North Carolina and from New York City, including many rituals and social customs. Another theme throughout his work was music. Bearden grew up surrounded by musicians and loved jazz and blues. Romare Bearden’s artwork can be found in numerous permanent collections around the country including the Museum of Modern Art and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Retrospective exhibitions of Bearden’s art have been held by The Mint Museum of Art, Charlotte; the Museum of Modern Art; the Detroit Institute; and the Studio Museum in Harlem. As well, President Reagan...
Lithograph
The Painted Sounds of Romare Bearden Vintage Exhibition Poster, 1994
By Romare Bearden
Located in Union City, NJ
THE PAINTED SOUNDS OF ROMARE BEARDEN, SAXOPHONE SOLO Rare, Vintage Exhibition Poster "The Painted Sounds of Romare Bearden" Saxophone Solo 1987 (after an original collage and oil on...
Offset
Out Corus (Gelburd/Rosenberg 70-77), Jazz Series, Romare Bearden
By Romare Bearden
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Romare Bearden (1911-1988) Title: Out Corus (Gelburd/Rosenberg 70-77) Year: 1979 Medium: Lithograph on vélin d’Arches paper Edition: 147/175, plus proofs Size: Paper Size: 23...
Lithograph
Brass Section Jamming at Minton's 1979 Signed Lithograph by Romare Bearden
By Romare Bearden
Located in Rochester Hills, MI
Artist: Romare Bearden Title Brass Section Jamming at Minton's from the Jazz Suite Year: 1979 Print - Lithograph on Arches Archival Paper Paper Size 27.75'' x 33.5'' Edition: Signed...
Lithograph
Jazz Series Set of Lithographs
By Romare Bearden
Located in Rochester Hills, MI
Artist: Romare Bearden Year: 1979 Title: Jazz Series Seven Lithographs. Unframed. Stored flat. Fresh colors. Title: Out Chorus Rhythm Section Year: 1979 Edition: Signed in pencil ...
Lithograph
Original Romare Bearden Lithograph, 1977, The Conversation
By Romare Bearden
Located in Washington, DC
Title: The Conversation Medium: Lithograph in colors Year: 1977 Edition: AP (artist's proof, aside from the edition of 175) Signature: Stamped signature Image Size: 18" x 25" Sheet S...
Lithograph
Romare Bearden Lithograph, Artist's Proof, 1979, Framed, Morning
By Romare Bearden
Located in Washington, DC
Title: Morning Medium: Lithograph in colors Year: 1979 Edition: AP (artist's proof, aside from the edition of 175) Signature: Stamped signature Image Size: 21 3/4" x 27 3/4" Sheet Si...
Lithograph
Original Romare Bearden Lithograph Print, AP Edition, 1979, The Lantern
By Romare Bearden
Located in Washington, DC
Title: The Lantern Medium: Lithograph in colors Year: 1979 Edition: AP (artist's proof, aside from the edition of 175) Signature: Stamped signature Image Size: 23 3/4" x 15 1/2" Shee...
Lithograph
