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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Romare Bearden, 1911-1988, “Martin Luther King, Jr. Mountain Top” Lithograph
By Romare Bearden
Located in Jensen Beach, FL
29.75 x 19.5 in. (75.57 x 49.53 cm) Romare Bearden’s screenprint celebrates the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., whom we honor today. Bearden created this artwork in the same...
Paper
1988 My Neighbour Totoro (Japanese) Original Vintage Poster
Located in Winchester, GB
Released in 1988, written and directed by anime and animation legend Hayao Miyazaki, "My Neighbour Totoro" received great commercial and critical acclaim. Regarded as one of the grea...
Paper
Keith Haring Resist in Concert 1988 'announcement'
By Keith Haring
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Keith Haring Resist in Concert! newspaper clipping, 1988: Vintage original Keith Haring 1988 newspaper advertisement for Refuse and Resist produced concert December 4, 1988 at New Yo...
Paper
Lions Head Pictures Vintage Cinematic Poster, circa 1911
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
This is a beautiful, original advertisement poster for Lions Head Pictures. The poster dates to circa 1911. The poster was designed by an unknown artist. The poster depicts Britanni...
Paper
Big (1988) Press Publicity Still - Framed
Located in Bath, Somerset
Original 8x10 inches Press Publicity Still for Big (1988) starring Tom Hanks, Elizabeth Perkins and Robert Loggia and directed by Penny Marshall. Publicity (film/production) stills ...
Wood, Paper
Romare Bearden Aubusson Tapestry
By Romare Bearden
Located in New York, NY
Mid-Century tapestry designed by Romare Bearden (1911-1988) and woven at Atelier Pinton Freres in Aubusson, France. Gloria Ross asked Bearden if she propo...
Tapestry, Wool
1988 Keith Haring, Dusseldorf 1988 Original Vintage Poster
By Keith Haring
Located in Winchester, GB
Featuring his 1988 artwork "Headstand", this brilliant poster was created in 1998 to advertise the Galerie Hans Mayer's exhibition of Keith Haring's work. This wonderful and original...
Paper
Vintage Martin Luther King Jr. Cast Metal Plaque
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Martin Luther King Jr. Plaque Cast metal Great color and patina Ready to hang.
Metal
1988 Porsche Cup USA '88 Original Vintage Poster
Located in Winchester, GB
Gorgeous original Porsche Cup USA 1988 poster featuring the iconic Blaupunkt Porsche 962 speeding past the camera. A dynamic design showcasing Porsche’s racing heritage, with bold ty...
Paper
1988 Leonard Cohen - The Fillmore Original Vintage Poster
By Marc D'estout
Located in Winchester, GB
Designed by concert poster artist Marc D'Estout, this beautiful poster was created in 1988 to promote a live concert of Leonard Cohen at the world famous Fillmore in San Francisco. E...
Paper
A Fish Called Wanda 1988 Press Publicity Still - Framed
Located in Bath, Somerset
Original 8x10 inches Press Publicity Still for A Fish Called Wanda (1988) starring John Cleese, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kevin Kline and Michael Palin and directed by Charles Crichton, John...
Paper
Beetlejuice (1988) Press Publicity Still - Framed
Located in Bath, Somerset
Original 8x10 inches Press Publicity Still for Beetlejuice (1988) starring Michael Keaton, Geena Davis and Alec Baldwin and directed by Tim Burton. Publicity (film/production) still...
Wood, Paper
Beetlejuice (1988) Press Publicity Still - Framed
Located in Bath, Somerset
Original 8x10 inches Press Publicity Still for Beetlejuice (1988) starring Michael Keaton, Geena Davis and Alec Baldwin and directed by Tim Burton. Publicity (film/production) still...
Wood, Paper
Original Romare Bearden Lithograph The Wall Signed Numbered
By Romare Bearden
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Beautiful early Romare Bearden The Wall. 1972 low number 2/150. Sourced from original owner. Offset color lithograph, 1972. 559x737 mm; 22x29 inches, full margins. Signed and number...
Paper
Romare Bearden Screenprint "Home to Ithaca"
By Romare Bearden
Located in Toledo, OH
This artist edition screenprint of "Home to Ithaca 1977" by Romare Bearden (1911-1988) is signed H.C 1/30 on the lower left and signed on the lower right. This piece is from the Odys...
Paper
Sold
H 32 in W 26.25 in D 1.5 in
Romare Bearden Limited Edition Lithograph 148/150 "Girl In The Garden"
By Romare Bearden
Located in Toledo, OH
Limited edition lithograph by Romare Bearden (1914-1988) 148/150 titled "Girl In The Garden", circa 1979. Very nice condition. Dimensions: 1.5" dept...
Paper
Romare Bearden Color Lithograph, 1971, "Dreams of Exile"
By Romare Bearden
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Original color lithograph by African American Modernist Artist Romare Bearden (1911-1988). Title: Dreams of Exile Date of Creation: 1971 Size: 21 7/8" H x 16 1/2" W Signed in pen...
Paper
Mid-Century Modern Framed Lithograph Signed Romare Bearden 60/175
By Romare Bearden
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
For your consideration is a framed lithograph, signed and numbered by Romare Bearden, 60/175. In excellent condition. The dimensions of the frame are W-34" x H-28" and the dimensions...