Palmer Hayden
Encyclopedia
Palmer C. Hayden was an American
painter
who depicted African American
life. He painted in both oils and watercolors, and was a prolific artist of his era.
. He grew up in the town of Wide Water, Virginia, and was a self-trained artist. Hayden was one of the first in America to depict African subjects in his paintings.
As a young man, Hayden studied at the Cooper Union
in New York City
and also practiced independent studies at Boothbay Art Colony in Maine
. http://www.fatherryan.org/harlemrenaissance/phayden.htm He won the esteemed Harmon Foundation
’s Gold Award for painting twice: first for a seascape entitled Schooners in 1926. One of his most famous pieces was made in 1931–32, a still life
called Fetiche et Fleurs. After receiving his Harmon award, supportive patrons granted Hayden money to study in France
.
for inspiration. Over his next five years in Paris, Hayden was very productive, trying to capture elements of Parisian society. On his return to America, Hayden began working for the United States government.
Much of Hayden’s work after Paris focused on the African American experience. He tried to capture rural life as well as urban backgrounds in New York City. Many of these urban paintings were centered in Harlem
.
Hayden continued to make contributions to the artistic community throughout his whole life until his death on February 18, 1973.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
painter
Painting
Painting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a surface . The application of the medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush but other objects can be used. In art, the term painting describes both the act and the result of the action. However, painting is...
who depicted African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
life. He painted in both oils and watercolors, and was a prolific artist of his era.
Early life
Born on January 15, 1890, Hayden’s original name was Peyton Cole Hedgeman. He was given the name Palmer Hayden by his commanding sergeant during World War IWorld War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. He grew up in the town of Wide Water, Virginia, and was a self-trained artist. Hayden was one of the first in America to depict African subjects in his paintings.
As a young man, Hayden studied at the Cooper Union
Cooper Union
The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, commonly referred to simply as Cooper Union, is a privately funded college in the East Village neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City, United States, located at Cooper Square and Astor Place...
in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
and also practiced independent studies at Boothbay Art Colony in Maine
Maine
Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
. http://www.fatherryan.org/harlemrenaissance/phayden.htm He won the esteemed Harmon Foundation
William E. Harmon Foundation award for distinguished achievement among Negroes
The William E. Harmon Foundation award for Distinguished Achievement among Negroes commonly referred to as the "Harmon award" or "Harmon foundation award", was a philanthropic and cultural award created in 1926 by William E. Harmon and administered by the Harmon Foundation...
’s Gold Award for painting twice: first for a seascape entitled Schooners in 1926. One of his most famous pieces was made in 1931–32, a still life
Still life
A still life is a work of art depicting mostly inanimate subject matter, typically commonplace objects which may be either natural or man-made...
called Fetiche et Fleurs. After receiving his Harmon award, supportive patrons granted Hayden money to study in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
.
Art
Much of Hayden's influences came from the environment around him. He enjoyed painting, and used his time in ParisParis
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
for inspiration. Over his next five years in Paris, Hayden was very productive, trying to capture elements of Parisian society. On his return to America, Hayden began working for the United States government.
Much of Hayden’s work after Paris focused on the African American experience. He tried to capture rural life as well as urban backgrounds in New York City. Many of these urban paintings were centered in Harlem
Harlem
Harlem is a neighborhood in the New York City borough of Manhattan, which since the 1920s has been a major African-American residential, cultural and business center. Originally a Dutch village, formally organized in 1658, it is named after the city of Haarlem in the Netherlands...
.
Hayden continued to make contributions to the artistic community throughout his whole life until his death on February 18, 1973.