Art History

From Gullah craft to Black modernism to the museum reckoning of 2025. The long view of Black art, told plainly.

A grand museum hall with a sweeping wall of diverse original Black artworks spanning many styles and eras, a survey of Black art history, dramatic light, no people.
Start Here · Art History

Black Art: The History, the Traditions, and the Moment We're In

A grounded look at Black art history, from Gullah Geechee craft to the Harlem Renaissance to 2025's museum reckoning.

Read the Guide
A daylit artist studio corner with a large unframed canvas on a wooden easel and a paint spattered table holding jars and brushes.
Art History

Black Art vs Generic Wall Art: The Difference

Black art is made by a Black artist about Black life. Generic decor just borrows the imagery. Here's a checklist to tell them apart on any site.

Published July 22, 2026 · 9 min read
A wide painting of a person seated in profile beside a tall window, with afternoon light falling across an empty wall.
Art History

The History of Black Portraiture

From 1790s Baltimore portrait painting to Harlem Renaissance photography to today's figurative painters, here's how Black portraiture actually deve...

Published July 22, 2026 · 9 min read
A painting of an empty Southern porch at dawn with two packed suitcases and a folded coat beside the steps, and a dirt road leading away.
Art History

The Great Migration in African American Art

How African American artists recorded the Great Migration, why Jacob Lawrence's Migration Series lives in two museums, and what to look for when co...

Published July 22, 2026 · 8 min read
A sunlit museum gallery wall hung with four framed paintings, with one visitor standing at a distance with their back to the camera.
Art History

What Is African American Art? A Clear Definition

African American art defined: what it is, why black art and black artwork mean the same thing, the major movements, and what makes the tradition di...

Published July 22, 2026 · 8 min read
Minimalist studio with Black modernism art books
Art History

What Is Black Modernism in Painting: A Full Guide

Discover what is black modernism in painting and explore its impact on culture and identity. Learn about key artists and their unique approaches.

Published July 3, 2026 • Updated July 19, 2026 · 9 min read
African American female artist painting in studio
Buying and Collecting

Afro American Paintings: History, Culture, and Collecting

Explore the rich history and culture of Afro American paintings. Discover key artists, movements, and the significance of this vibrant art form.

Published June 18, 2026 • Updated July 19, 2026 · 9 min read
Scholar studying Black Arts Movement history
Art History

What Is the Black Arts Movement: History and Impact

Discover what the Black Arts Movement is, its transformative history, and its lasting impact on culture and art. Explore its revolutionary legacy!

Published June 10, 2026 • Updated July 19, 2026 · 9 min read
Black female artist painting vibrant portrait in studio
Art History

Contemporary Black Life Art Styles: A Definitive Guide

Explore contemporary black life art styles in our definitive guide! Discover the vibrant expressions and rich narratives that shape Black culture.

Published June 6, 2026 • Updated July 19, 2026 · 8 min read
Painter creating coastal Lowcountry landscape artwork
Gullah Geechee

Lowcountry Art: How Painters Preserve Endangered Spaces

Discover how lowcountry art preserves endangered Southern landscapes and cultural heritage. Explore its vital role in conservation today!

Published May 31, 2026 • Updated July 19, 2026 · 9 min read
Artist creating abstract African painting in studio
African Diaspora

Abstract African Art: The Foundation of Modern Abstraction

Discover how abstract art African traditions shaped modern abstraction. Uncover the truth behind iconic artists and their influences.

Published May 26, 2026 • Updated July 19, 2026 · 9 min read
Black artist sketching in home studio
Art History

How Black art reveals lived experience and identity

Black art reflects joy, grief, identity, and resilience. How Black figurative work shapes cultural memory and the homes that hold it.

Published May 9, 2026 • Updated July 19, 2026 · 12 min read
A handmade African American quilt with bold improvisational patterns draped in a warm styled room.
Styling Your Space

Decorating With African American Quilts Without Flattening Their History

How to display, document, and preserve African American quilts at home with care, plus how to tell an heirloom from printed decor.

Published May 8, 2026 • Updated July 19, 2026 · 7 min read

Browse the full archive →

The Journal, monthly.

One email a month: new essays, new work on the easel, and first look at new pieces. No noise.

African wall decor in a gold floating frame, eight African women silhouettes in flowing gowns with brushy city towers
From the Collection

History you can hang.

The flagship exhibition holds 53 original works that carry these traditions forward.

Enter the Exhibition