Henry Ossawa Tanner

Henry Ossawa Tanner
Henry Ossawa Tanner (1859–1937), American, Henry Ossawa Tanner, born on June 21, 1859, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, emerged as a pioneering African-American artist whose work garnered international recognition. The son of Benjamin Tucker Tanner, a bishop in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, and Sarah Elizabeth Tanner, who may have escaped slavery, Henry was named in commemoration of the abolitionist struggle at Osawatomie. His early exposure to art came through Robert Douglass, Jr., a successful black artist in Philadelphia, where the Tanner family relocated during Henry's teenage years. This encounter ignited Tanner's passion for painting, setting him on a path to become the first African-American painter to achieve international acclaim.
Tanner's pursuit of artistic excellence led him to Paris in 1891, where he studied at the Académie Julian and immersed himself in the vibrant French artistic community. His talent and dedication earned him a distinguished place in French artistic circles, culminating in his election as a chevalier of the Legion of Honor by the French government in 1923. Beyond his artistic achievements, Tanner's family was notable for their contributions to society, including his sister Halle Tanner Dillon Johnson, who became the first woman certified to practice medicine in Alabama. Tanner's legacy is not only that of a groundbreaking artist but also as a member of a family deeply committed to progress and equality.
  • The Savior (ca. 1900-1905)

    The Savior (ca. 1900-1905)

    Henry Ossawa Tanner (American, 1859–1937)

    A lone figure walks through a darkened landscape, his face softly illuminated. The quiet intensity of his gaze suggests both weariness and resolve. Shadows cling to the folds of his robe as he moves forward, an ordinary man carrying something unseen yet immense. The light around him feels fragile, almost sacred.

  • Christ and His Mother Studying the Scriptures (c. 1908)

    Christ and His Mother Studying the Scriptures (c. 1908)

    Henry Ossawa Tanner (American, 1859–1937)

    A young Christ leans over the scriptures, his mother’s hand resting gently on his shoulder. The soft glow of candlelight illuminates their faces, casting shadows across the pages. There’s an intimacy here—a quiet moment of shared devotion, where wisdom passes between them without a word.