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
$1,452
H 20.87 in W 18.9 in D 1.19 in
Kumi Sugaï “Festival A” — limited edition silkscreen, signed & numbered, 1970s
By Kumi Sugai
Located in Weesp, NL
Importing Art into the United States is exempt from all U.S. tariffs but please, do check Kumi Sugaï “Festival A” — limited edition silkscreen, signed & numbered, 1970s A striking ...
Aluminum
Fiesta '88 Original Poster by David Hockney, 1988
By David Hockney
Located in Winchester, GB
Featuring his 1986 painting "Flowers, Apple & Pear on a Table, July 1986", this poster was created to promote the Bradford Fiesta in 1988. Hockney's hometown of Bradford has long...
Paper
Die Hard 1988 Egyptian Film Poster
Located in Bath, Somerset
Yippee-ki-yay. A cracking original Egyptian film poster for Die Hard, one of the greatest action movies ever made — and, yes, a Christmas favourite. This bold international design gi...
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
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
King Kong Escapes 1988 Egyptian Style A Film Poster, Samy
Located in Bath, Somerset
King Kong meets kaiju chaos. This Egyptian poster for King Kong Escapes piles Kong, Mechani-Kong, monsters and laser beams into a wonderfully hectic hand-painted composition. Ishir...
Paper
$750
H 36.25 in W 50.25 in D 1.25 in
Stephen Kaye Signed Abstract Expressionism Contemporary Silkscreen 172/350 Frame
By Stephen Kaye
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
An energetic abstract expressionism contemporary silkscreen on paper by Stephen Kaye. Hand signed in pencil on the bottom right with an annotation of 172/350. A lovely combination of...
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
$15,778
H 63 in W 47.25 in D 0.1 in
Longines c1911 French Grande Advertising Poster, Leonetto Cappiello
Located in Bath, Somerset
Our favourite from the new collection. A magnificent original French grande advertising poster for Longines, created c1911 by the great poster artist Leonetto Cappiello. The design f...
Linen, Paper
Max Papart signed silkscreen
By Max Papart
Located in Westport, CT
Max Papart signed deco silkscreen 47/150 (1911-1994)
$3,250
H 13.25 in W 17.25 in D 1 in
Yaacov Agam Original Double Metamorphosis Lithograph, HC 7/9 Signed
Located in Miami, FL
Original fine art print from Yaacov Agam’s celebrated Double Metamorphosis series, showcasing the artist’s mastery of graphic instrumentation and optical perception. Rendered in a mo...
Glass, 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...