Henry Ossawa Tanner

Date of Birth: June 21, 1859

Zodiac Sign: Cancer

Date of Death: May 25, 1937

Biography

Henry Ossawa Tanner was an influential American artist who achieved international acclaim for his paintings. Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Tanner became one of the first African American artists to gain recognition in both America and Europe. His father was a minister and his mother had been a slave who escaped via the Underground Railroad. Tanner’s early interest in art was nurtured by his family, and he enrolled in the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in Philadelphia, where he studied under the renowned painter Thomas Eakins. Tanner moved to Paris in 1891 to escape the racial discrimination he faced in the United States, and he found a more accepting environment in the French art community. He exhibited his work at the Paris Salon and gained widespread recognition for his religious and genre scenes, which were praised for their emotional depth and technical skill. His most famous works include “The Banjo Lesson” (1893) and “The Resurrection of Lazarus” (1896). Tanner married Jessie Olsson, a Swedish-American opera singer, in 1899, and they had one son, Jesse. Throughout his career, Tanner received numerous awards and honors, including the Chevalier of the Legion of Honor from the French government. He continued to paint and exhibit his work until his death in 1937.

5 Interesting Facts about Henry Ossawa Tanner

1. Henry Ossawa Tanner was the first African American painter to gain international acclaim.

2. His painting “The Banjo Lesson” is considered a masterpiece and an important work in American art history.

3. Tanner was a student of Thomas Eakins, who was a significant influence on his work.

4. He was awarded the Chevalier of the Legion of Honor by the French government in 1923.

5. Tanner’s work was shown at the prestigious Paris Salon, where he won a silver medal in 1897 for “The Resurrection of Lazarus.”

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Henry Ossawa Tanner

1. “I will preach with my brush.”

2. “My effort has been to not only put the Biblical incident in the original setting… but at the same time give the human touch ‘which makes the whole world kin’ and which ever remains the same.”

3. “I paint things as they are. I don’t comment. I record.”

4. “I cannot study everything. I must make my choices.”

5. “The physical side of my paintings is just as important as the spiritual side.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the peak of his career, Henry Ossawa Tanner’s net worth was estimated to be equivalent to approximately $500,000 in today’s dollars, considering the value of his high-profile sales and commissions.

Children

Henry Ossawa Tanner had one son, Jesse Ossawa Tanner, born in 1903 to his wife Jessie Olsson. Jesse followed a career in academia and was known for his scholarly contributions.