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.
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
Romare Bearden Silkscreen "Circe into Swine", Signed, HC 1/30, Odyssey Suite
By Romare Bearden
Located in Toledo, OH
Romare Bearden (1911-1988) silkscreen print lithograph "Circe into Swine". This lithograph is part of the Odyssey Suite, which reimagines classical mythology through the lens of Afri...
Paper
$6,450
H 34.75 in W 22.75 in D 0.1 in
Keith Haring Signed Lithograph Tony Shafrazi Gallery Exhibition Poster Into 84
By Keith Haring
Located in Studio City, CA
A fantastic, wonderfully designed, striking original color offset lithograph on thick wove paper exhibition poster from Keith Haring's 1983 Tony Shafrazi New York City Gallery show I...
Paper
Josef Albers Silkscreen
By Josef Albers
Located in Stamford, CT
Josef Albers from Formulation: Articulation, 1972. Silkscreen prints, Folio II / Folder 6 . Floated in 12 karat white gold gilt frame using all acid free archival materials. #176 of ...
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
Dodik Jégou, Silkscreen, The Ponies, Signed and Numbered 3/250
Located in Antwerp, BE
Dodik Jégou. Silkprint, The Ponies,signed and numbered 3250. Dodik Jégou, born Mary-Charlotte Le Berre on May 14th, 1934 in Quimper (Finistère), is a pai...
Wool
Pair of Signed Tommi Parzinger Silkscreen Prints
Located in St. Louis, MO
Pair of early examples of Tommi Parzinger silkscreened prints, signed in pencil, original frames, frames 17" diameter, art 14" diameter.
Screen
Manolo Valdes. Perfil 111, "Chiara" Etching and Silkscreen 30/50
By Manolo Valdés
Located in Bellport, NY
Manolo Valdes born 1942 is a Spanish artist living in New York and Madrid. Manolo's inspiration largely originates from the unique styles and techniques belonging to the old masters,...
Other
Vintage Martin Luther King Jr. Cast Metal Plaque, Mid-Century USA
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Martin Luther King Jr. Plaque Cast metal Great color and patina Ready to hang.
Metal
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
David Weidman Signed and Numbered ED of 250 Silkscreen Walking
By David Weidman
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful original print by David Weidman ED of 250, signed and numbered David Weidman's (1921-2014) work is easily recognizable and emblematic of midcentury graphic design. This is ...
Brass
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
Max Papart signed silkscreen
By Max Papart
Located in Westport, CT
Max Papart signed deco silkscreen 47/150 (1911-1994)
Pop Art Silkscreen Print on Paper - Signed & Numbered - Circa 1987
Located in Chatham, ON
Pop art silkscreen print on paper - untitled - signed Cutler - numbered 44/99 at the bottom of the print - unframed - contained in a double bevel edged matte - circa 1987. Excellent...
Paint, 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...