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Romare Bearden Figurative Paintings

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.

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Artist: Romare Bearden
The Soul Never Dwells in a Dry Place
The Soul Never Dwells in a Dry Place

The Soul Never Dwells in a Dry Place

By Romare Bearden

Located in Long Island City, NY

Artist: Romare Bearden, American (1911 - 1988) Title: The Soul Never Dwells in a Dry Place Date: October, 1946 Medium: Oil on Masonite, signed l.l. Size: 24 in. x 31 in. (60.96 ...

Category

1940s Cubist Romare Bearden Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil

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Romare Bearden figurative paintings for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Romare Bearden figurative paintings available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Romare Bearden in oil paint, paint and more. Not every interior allows for large Romare Bearden figurative paintings, so small editions measuring 37 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Maurice Green, Jessica Rice, and Borja Guijarro.
Questions About Romare Bearden Figurative Paintings
  • 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.