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Romare Bearden

American, 1911-1988

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.

Jazz II Deluxe 1980 Signed Limited Edition Screen Print
By Romare Bearden
Located in Rochester Hills, MI
Artist: Romare Bearden Title: Jazz II Deluxe Medium: Screen Print Edition: Signed in pencil and marked 178/200 Size: 31 x 41½ inches Romare Bearden (1911–1988) was a celebrated Afri...
Category

1980s Abstract Romare Bearden

Materials

Screen

The Open Door 1979 Signed Limited Edition Lithograph
By Romare Bearden
Located in Rochester Hills, MI
Artist: Romare Bearden Title: The Open Door Year: 1979 Print: Lithograph on Somerset Paper Paper size : 22'' x 30'' Edition: Signed in pencil and marked 4/175 Romare Bearden is r...
Category

1970s Abstract Romare Bearden

Materials

Lithograph

The Conversation 1979 Signed Limited Edition Lithograph
By Romare Bearden
Located in Rochester Hills, MI
Artist: Romare Bearden Title: Conversation Year: 1979 Print - Lithograph on Somerset Paper Paper size: 22'' x 30'' inches Edition: signed & numbered in pencil, HC 5/15 Image Size ...
Category

1970s Abstract Romare Bearden

Materials

Lithograph

Girl in the Garden (Gelburd/Rosenberg 62), Romare Bearden
By Romare Bearden
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Romare Bearden (1911-1988) Title: Girl in the Garden (Gelburd/Rosenberg 62) Year: 1979 Medium: Lithograph on vélin d’Arches paper Edition: 33/150, plus proofs Size: 28.75 x 2...
Category

1970s Expressionist Romare Bearden

Materials

Lithograph

QUILTING TIME Hand Signed Lithograph, Black Family Life African American Culture
By Romare Bearden
Located in Union City, NJ
QUILTING TIME is an original limited edition lithograph printed using traditional hand lithography methods on archival Somerset printmaking paper, 100% acid free. QUILTING TIME by th...
Category

1980s Contemporary Romare Bearden

Materials

Lithograph

NOAH MEANS - A NEW DAY 1985 Lithograph Art Poster, Black Women, Purple, Green
By Romare Bearden
Located in Union City, NJ
ROMARE BEARDEN NOAH MEANS - A NEW DAY Year published - 1985 Commemorative Poster - Hofstra University - Noah Program Poster size - 34.5 x 21 inches, unframed, unsigned NOAH MEANS -...
Category

1980s Contemporary Romare Bearden

Materials

Offset

IN THE GARDEN Signed Lithograph, Black Woman Pink Gingham Dress Collage Portrait
By Romare Bearden
Located in Union City, NJ
IN THE GARDEN is a limited edition color lithograph printed using traditional hand lithography methods on archival printmaking paper, 100% acid free, in an edition size of 150 by the renowned African American artist Romare Bearden. Featuring fresh, uplifting shades of lavender, hues of fresh green, pink, warm tomato red, orange yellow, grays, black and white, IN THE GARDEN depicts a charming collage portrait drawing of a young black woman waving as she carries her basket of freshly picked flowers. She is standing in the garden wearing a bright pink gingham...
Category

1980s Contemporary Romare Bearden

Materials

Lithograph

LOUISIANA SERENADE Signed Lithograph, Two Men Playing Guitars, Woman on Veranda
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, printer's chop mark embossed on lower edge, print documentation provided Year Published - 1979 Edition size - 175, plus proofs 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...
Category

1970s Contemporary Romare Bearden

Materials

Lithograph

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Romare Bearden Sale Prices

Sold DateSold PriceCategoryMediumCreation Year
2025$1,500Prints and MultiplesLithograph1979
2025$250Figurative Prints, Interior PrintsOffset Print1981
2025$1,663Prints and MultiplesLithograph1979
2025$6,400Figurative Prints, Interior PrintsLithograph1979
2025$2,250PrintsPaper1977
2025$65Figurative PrintsOffset Print1993
2025$4,000Landscape Prints, Figurative PrintsLithograph1979
2025$240Interior Prints, Figurative PrintsOffset Print1981
2025$1,300Prints and MultiplesLithograph1979
2024$48Prints and MultiplesOffset Print1981
2024$60Prints and MultiplesOffset Print1993
2024$6,219More ArtWool1980
$2,148
Average sold price of items in the past 12 months
$48-$8,000
Sold price range of items in the past 12 months

Artists Similar to Romare Bearden

Romare Bearden art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Romare Bearden art available for sale on 1stDibs. If you’re browsing the collection of art to introduce a pop of color in a neutral corner of your living room or bedroom, you can find work that includes elements of blue, pink and other colors. You can also browse by medium to find art by Romare Bearden in lithograph, screen print, fabric and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 20th century and is mostly associated with the contemporary style. Not every interior allows for large Romare Bearden art, so small editions measuring 15 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Donald Baechler, Sandro Chia, and Peter Blake. Romare Bearden art prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $275 and tops out at $50,000, while the average work can sell for $6,000.
Questions About Romare Bearden
  • 1stDibs ExpertAugust 17, 2021
    Romare Bearden is an artist best known for his inventive collage work. Bearden’s work depicts African American culture in a style derived from Cubism. Shop Bearden’s art on 1stDibs.

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