James Amos Porter
Encyclopedia
James Amos Porter was a pioneer in establishing the field of African-American art history. He was instrumental as the first scholar to provide a systematic, critical analysis of African-American artists and their works of art. An artist himself, he provided a unique and critical approach to the analysis of the work. Dedicated to educating and writing about African-American artists, Porter set the foundation for artists and art historians to probe and unearth the necessary skills essential to their artistic and scholarly endeavors. The canon is borne from Porter’s determination to document and view African-American art in the context of American art.
, head of the Art Department at Howard University
, Porter studied painting, drawing, and art history. Upon graduating with a bachelor of science in 1927, he accepted a position as instructor of painting and drawing at Howard. Throughout his academic professional career, Porter painted and exhibited nationally and internationally. In 1933 he received the Schomburg Portrait Prize, from the Harmon Foundation
, for the painting entitled Woman Holding a Jug (1930).
After completing undergraduate work, Porter attended the Art Institute in New York City. He also studied in Paris at the Institute of Art and Archeology at the Sorbonne, where he received a Certificat de Présence in 1935. When Porter returned to the United States, he pursued a master of arts in art history from New York University
in 1937. Porter’s thesis, which would later become the foundation for the book Modern Negro Art, focused on African-American artists and artisans.
During his educational pursuits, Porter met Dorothy Burnett
, a librarian at the Harlem branch of the New York Public Library, where he did research. On December 27, 1929, Porter and Burnett were married. They had one daughter, Constance Porter. This union proved to be important, not only personally but also professionally. Dorothy worked with Porter, as she provided bibliographic information critical to his investigations. Both worked at Howard University
. Dorothy Porter was the director of Moorland Foundation later known as the Moorland-Spingarn Research Center
, where she catalogued information about African-American artists.
Porter’s interest in nearly forgotten and often ignored artists of African descent was sparked by reading a brief article on African-American landscape artist Robert Scott Duncanson
. Due to the account's brevity, Porter followed his curiosity to research Duncanson and other artists of African descent.
Modern Negro Art, published in 1943, was the first comprehensive study in the United States of African-American art. Porter decisively placed African-American artists within the framework of American art. He was the first to recognize and document the significant contributions these artists made to the history of American art. With Porter’s systematic approach, Modern Negro Art became and still is the grounding for African-American art history and for later texts.
Porter included art of Cuba, Haiti, and Africa in his investigations of artists of the African diaspora
. He visited Haiti and Cuba on a Rockefeller Foundation
grant in 1945/46. The Cuban government spurned his painting, The Cuban Bus. His thorough research on these countries and West Africa stimulated his creating courses at Howard in "Latin American Art" and "African Art and Architecture".
. He headed the Art Department and was the Director of the Art Gallery from 1953 through 1970.
The list of artists who studied under Porter is a long one. It includes Tritoba Hayes Benjamin, David C. Driskell
, Sylvia Snowden
, Mildred Thompson
(1936-2003) and many others. Mildred Thompson wrote of Porter that he "...was a kind and gentle teacher. His method was personal and individual. He taught me step by step as if guiding me through an initiation. He watched over the development of my crafts while at the same time helping me to develop the character that would enable me to practice the craft for a lifetime."
Porter, "father of African American art history", left a strong cultural and educational legacy. Scholars in the field continue to explore and document artists of the Diaspora. Porter’s artistic and historical work provided a solid foundation for current and future scholars. Many scholars owe Porter for the inspiration to probe the depths of African-American visual culture and attest to its significance to American culture. Jeffreen Hayes, Scholar
Porter was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha
.
On February 25, 2010 Swann Galleries
auctioned an immense archive of research material amassed by Porter that consisted of photographs, letters, exhibit catalogues, art books, flyers, and bibliographical data on important African-American artists. There was also correspondence from virtually every major African-American artist from the 1920s forward: Romare Bearden
, Lois Mailou Jones
, Meta Fuller, Elizabeth Catlett
, Hughie Lee-Smith
and many others.
Biography
Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Porter had a long career in the visual arts as an artist and historian. Under the direction of James V. HerringJames V. Herring
James Vernon Herring was an African American artist and professor of art at Howard University.James V. Herring founded the Howard University Department of Art in 1922. In 1943 along with Alonzo J. Aden he opened the Barnett-Aden Gallery in Washington DC.* Biography...
, head of the Art Department at Howard University
Howard University
Howard University is a federally chartered, non-profit, private, coeducational, nonsectarian, historically black university located in Washington, D.C., United States...
, Porter studied painting, drawing, and art history. Upon graduating with a bachelor of science in 1927, he accepted a position as instructor of painting and drawing at Howard. Throughout his academic professional career, Porter painted and exhibited nationally and internationally. In 1933 he received the Schomburg Portrait Prize, from the Harmon Foundation
Harmon Foundation
The Harmon Foundation was established in 1922 by William E. Harmon. It served as a large scale patron of African American art and helped gain recognition for African American artists who otherwise would have remained largely unknown. Mary B. Brady was the director of the foundation from 1922 until...
, for the painting entitled Woman Holding a Jug (1930).
After completing undergraduate work, Porter attended the Art Institute in New York City. He also studied in Paris at the Institute of Art and Archeology at the Sorbonne, where he received a Certificat de Présence in 1935. When Porter returned to the United States, he pursued a master of arts in art history from New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
in 1937. Porter’s thesis, which would later become the foundation for the book Modern Negro Art, focused on African-American artists and artisans.
During his educational pursuits, Porter met Dorothy Burnett
Dorothy B. Porter
Dorothy Burnett Porter was an African American librarian who built the Moorland-Spingarn Research Center at Howard University into a world-class research collection....
, a librarian at the Harlem branch of the New York Public Library, where he did research. On December 27, 1929, Porter and Burnett were married. They had one daughter, Constance Porter. This union proved to be important, not only personally but also professionally. Dorothy worked with Porter, as she provided bibliographic information critical to his investigations. Both worked at Howard University
Howard University
Howard University is a federally chartered, non-profit, private, coeducational, nonsectarian, historically black university located in Washington, D.C., United States...
. Dorothy Porter was the director of Moorland Foundation later known as the Moorland-Spingarn Research Center
Moorland-Spingarn Research Center
The Moorland-Spingarn Research Center is recognized as one of the world's largest and most comprehensive repositories for the documentation of the history and culture of people of African descent in Africa, the Americas, and other parts of the world...
, where she catalogued information about African-American artists.
Porter’s interest in nearly forgotten and often ignored artists of African descent was sparked by reading a brief article on African-American landscape artist Robert Scott Duncanson
Robert Scott Duncanson
Robert Scott Duncanson was born in Seneca County, New York in 1821. Duncanson’s father was a Canadian of Scottish descent and his mother was an African American, thus making him “a freeborn person of color.” Duncanson, an artist who is relatively unknown today, painted America, both physically...
. Due to the account's brevity, Porter followed his curiosity to research Duncanson and other artists of African descent.
Modern Negro Art, published in 1943, was the first comprehensive study in the United States of African-American art. Porter decisively placed African-American artists within the framework of American art. He was the first to recognize and document the significant contributions these artists made to the history of American art. With Porter’s systematic approach, Modern Negro Art became and still is the grounding for African-American art history and for later texts.
Porter included art of Cuba, Haiti, and Africa in his investigations of artists of the African diaspora
African diaspora
The African diaspora was the movement of Africans and their descendants to places throughout the world—predominantly to the Americas also to Europe, the Middle East and other places around the globe...
. He visited Haiti and Cuba on a Rockefeller Foundation
Rockefeller Foundation
The Rockefeller Foundation is a prominent philanthropic organization and private foundation based at 420 Fifth Avenue, New York City. The preeminent institution established by the six-generation Rockefeller family, it was founded by John D. Rockefeller , along with his son John D. Rockefeller, Jr...
grant in 1945/46. The Cuban government spurned his painting, The Cuban Bus. His thorough research on these countries and West Africa stimulated his creating courses at Howard in "Latin American Art" and "African Art and Architecture".
Teaching - Colleagues and Students
Porter taught at Howard for more than forty years, together with artists such as James Lesesne Wells and Lois Mailou JonesLois Mailou Jones
Lois Mailou Jones was a artist who lived into her nineties and who painted and influenced others during the Harlem Renaissance and beyond during her long teaching career. She was born in Boston, Massachusetts and is buried on her beloved Martha's Vineyard in the Oak Bluffs Cemetery.-Life:Dr...
. He headed the Art Department and was the Director of the Art Gallery from 1953 through 1970.
The list of artists who studied under Porter is a long one. It includes Tritoba Hayes Benjamin, David C. Driskell
David C. Driskell
David C. Driskell is a scholar in the field of African American art and an artist. Driskell is an emeritus professor at the University of Maryland, College Park....
, Sylvia Snowden
Sylvia Snowden
Sylvia Snowden is a black American artist. Snowden received a scholarship to Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture in Skowhegan, Maine and has a certificate from Le Grande Chaumier in Paris, France. She holds both a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Fine Arts degree from Howard University. At...
, Mildred Thompson
Mildred Thompson
Mildred Thompson was an African American artist who worked in the media of painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture and photography. She was also a writer and, beginning in 1987, was an associate editor for the magazine Art Papers in Atlanta, Georgia...
(1936-2003) and many others. Mildred Thompson wrote of Porter that he "...was a kind and gentle teacher. His method was personal and individual. He taught me step by step as if guiding me through an initiation. He watched over the development of my crafts while at the same time helping me to develop the character that would enable me to practice the craft for a lifetime."
Honors and legacy
- In 1965 the National Gallery of ArtNational Gallery of ArtThe National Gallery of Art and its Sculpture Garden is a national art museum, located on the National Mall between 3rd and 9th Streets at Constitution Avenue NW, in Washington, DC...
selected Porter as one the best art teachers in the nation. Together with 24 other honorees, he was presented the award by Lady Bird JohnsonLady Bird JohnsonClaudia Alta "Lady Bird" Taylor Johnson was First Lady of the United States from 1963 to 1969 during the presidency of her husband Lyndon B. Johnson. Throughout her life, she was an advocate for beautification of the nation's cities and highways and conservation of natural resources and made that...
.
- In 1990 Howard UniversityHoward UniversityHoward University is a federally chartered, non-profit, private, coeducational, nonsectarian, historically black university located in Washington, D.C., United States...
founded an academic colloquium named in Porter's honor and has held it annually. The Colloquium annually draws leading and emerging scholars in the field of study he helped establish. Presenters have included Porter students such as David C. DriskellDavid C. DriskellDavid C. Driskell is a scholar in the field of African American art and an artist. Driskell is an emeritus professor at the University of Maryland, College Park....
and Tritobia Hayes Benjamin, along with important scholars and artists such as Lowery Stokes Sims, Richard A. Long, Richard PowellRichard PowellRichard Powell may refer to:*Dick Powell , American singer, actor, producer, and director*Richard P. Powell , American author*Richard M. Powell , American screenwriter*Richard Powell , Welsh rugby union player...
, Michael HarrisMichael HarrisMichael Harris is an award-winning Canadian author, investigative journalist, and radio personality who hosts an afternoon radio talk show, "Michael Harris Live", on Ottawa-based CFRA, and was a columnist for The Ottawa Sun newspaper until March 2011.Born in Toronto, Ontario, to Audrey McDonald ...
, Judith WilsonJudith WilsonJudith Ingrid Wilson is a beauty pageant contestant who won Miss Northern Ireland 2008 and represented the province in Miss World 2008 in Johannesburg, South Africa. She is a graduate of The Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, where her first study instruments were double bass and piano. ...
, Samella LewisSamella LewisSamella Sanders Lewis is an African American artist , author, and former educator. Widely exhibited and collected as an artist herself, she is nevertheless perhaps even better known as a historian, critic, and collector of art, especially African-American art...
, and Deborah WillisDeborah WillisDeborah Willis is a contemporary African American artist, photographer, curator of photography, photographic historian, author, and educator. Among other awards and honors she has received, she was a 2000 MacArthur Fellow...
.
Porter, "father of African American art history", left a strong cultural and educational legacy. Scholars in the field continue to explore and document artists of the Diaspora. Porter’s artistic and historical work provided a solid foundation for current and future scholars. Many scholars owe Porter for the inspiration to probe the depths of African-American visual culture and attest to its significance to American culture. Jeffreen Hayes, Scholar
Porter was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha
Alpha Phi Alpha
Alpha Phi Alpha is the first Inter-Collegiate Black Greek Letter fraternity. It was founded on December 4, 1906 at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. Its founders are known as the "Seven Jewels". Alpha Phi Alpha developed a model that was used by the many Black Greek Letter Organizations ...
.
On February 25, 2010 Swann Galleries
Swann Galleries
Swann Galleries is a New York auction house founded in 1941. It is a specialist auctioneer of antique and rare works on paper, and it is considered the oldest continually operating New York specialist auction house....
auctioned an immense archive of research material amassed by Porter that consisted of photographs, letters, exhibit catalogues, art books, flyers, and bibliographical data on important African-American artists. There was also correspondence from virtually every major African-American artist from the 1920s forward: Romare Bearden
Romare Bearden
Romare Bearden was an African American artist and writer. He worked in several media including cartoons, oils, and collage.-Education:...
, Lois Mailou Jones
Lois Mailou Jones
Lois Mailou Jones was a artist who lived into her nineties and who painted and influenced others during the Harlem Renaissance and beyond during her long teaching career. She was born in Boston, Massachusetts and is buried on her beloved Martha's Vineyard in the Oak Bluffs Cemetery.-Life:Dr...
, Meta Fuller, Elizabeth Catlett
Elizabeth Catlett
Elizabeth Catlett Mora is an African-American sculptor and printmaker. Catlett is best known for the black, expressionistic sculptures and prints she produced during the 1960s and 1970s, which are seen as politically charged....
, Hughie Lee-Smith
Hughie Lee-Smith
Hughie Lee-Smith was an American artist and teacher whose signature works were slightly surreal in mood, often featuring distant figures seen under vast skies in desolate urban settings.-Life:...
and many others.
See also
- James A. Porter Colloquium on African American ArtJames A. Porter Colloquium on African American ArtThe James A. Porter Colloquium is a three-day scholarly program at Howard University exploring African American art history and cultural development. Started in 1990 by art historian Dr...
- Sylvia SnowdenSylvia SnowdenSylvia Snowden is a black American artist. Snowden received a scholarship to Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture in Skowhegan, Maine and has a certificate from Le Grande Chaumier in Paris, France. She holds both a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Fine Arts degree from Howard University. At...
(Studied with Porter) - Mildred ThompsonMildred ThompsonMildred Thompson was an African American artist who worked in the media of painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture and photography. She was also a writer and, beginning in 1987, was an associate editor for the magazine Art Papers in Atlanta, Georgia...
(Studied with Porter) - David Driskell