"The Janitor Who Paints"
Palmer Hayden was a painter in the early 1900s and during the Harlem Renaissance. He painted with a more realistic style, rather than the new abstract ideas that were being modernized. He was born in Virginia and later lived in Harlem. He spent some time away experiences new venues and lifestyles but many Harlem artist carry the Harlem Renaissance style in their work.
He painted mostly oil on canvas, just like this piece, "The Janitor Who Paints" This painting is an example of African American struggles but shows this janitors ambitions and hobbies. He might just be a janitor trying to support his wife, child and cat in their small home but he also paints. Additionally, the look on his wife's face seems to be happy and that she is alright with his low paying job and his contentment with painting. They are happy because they're functioning as a part of society and as a family.
The painting, to me, is fascinating because it's subtle tone and somewhat realistic features but still noticeably abstract in a way. I like all the detail; the cat's fur, the pipes, their expressions, the clock and textures.
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/aaworld/arts/hayden.html
i reallly like the picture you used. i think the title shows how the people from the Harlem renaissance were considered low, like a janitor, but we amazing artists and people. this was a very good choice in artwork my friend. good work:)
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