Aaron Douglas

Aaron Douglas (May 26, 1898 – February 3, 1979) was an American painter and a major figure in the Harlem Renaissance.

Douglas was known for his semi-abstract, hard-edged style which synthesized aspects of modern European, ancient Egyptian, and West African art. Douglas was first recognized as an illustrator, and many of his early works are black and white drawings that show some affinities with Art Deco illustrations from the same period. His paintings consisted of flat forms, hard edges, and repetitive geometric shapes. His painting style is distinguished in part by a very unusual use of color. Large bands of color radiate out from important objects in each painting, and where these bands intersect with other bands or other objects, the color changes. He wanted people to understand African-American spiritual identity, and, in some ways, he may have succeeded: Douglas was often called the 'Father of African American art'