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
$3,200
H 25 in W 31 in D 1 in
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
$16,123
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
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
1988 Le Mont Saint-Michel Original Vintage Poster
By Pierre Fix-Masseau
Located in Winchester, GB
This gorgeous & rare stone lithograph poster was designed by the great French poster artist Fix Masseau and released in 1988. Promoting Mont Saint-Michel, the iconic tidal island in...
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
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
COMING TO AMERICA (1988) Publicity Film Still FRAMED
Located in Bath, Somerset
Original 8x10 inches Publicity Still for Coming to America (1988). Directed by by T John Landis, starring Eddie Murphy. Publicity (film/production) stills were created to help stud...
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
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
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
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
Hairspray 1988 Publicity Film Movie Press Still Framed
Located in Bath, Somerset
Original 8x10 inches Publicity Film Still for Hairspray (1988) starring Sonny Bono, Ruth Brown and Divine and directed by John Waters. Publicity (film/production) stills were create...
Paper