Born
January 15, 1890
Died
February 18, 1973
Country
United States of America
Gifted at both oils and watercolors, Palmer Hayden became a well-known Harlem artist and folklorist. Most of his early paintings were landscapes. In 1926, the Harmon Foundation awarded first prize to a Maine seascape of Hayden’s creation.
With the backing of a wealthy art patron, Hayden moved to Paris in 1927 and studied there for the next five years.
It was a richly productive period for the painter, as evidenced by the stack of sketchbooks he brought home in 1932 that vividly capture Parisian society. Hayden went to work that year for the U.S. Treasury Art Project and the Depression-era government-funded Works Progress Administration (WPA). His work began to concern itself with scenes of daily life in Harlem.
Tapping memories of his childhood in Wide Water, Virginia, Hayden also brought to life the manners and mores of small-town residents. His most striking product from this period is the John Henry series. These 12 paintings, which took the painter more than a decade to complete, depict the life of the indomitable “steel-drivin’ man,” a Black man who helped lay railroad ties and tracks across the South.
Hayden’s work won kudos for its artistic merit, but some critics accused it of perpetuating racial stereotypes. His portrayal of African Americans with exaggerated features and minstrel-style grins may have been a product of the times, but they remain highly controversial details today.
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Like Aaron Douglas, Hayden used various African art styles in his paintings. |
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Alain Locke praised Hayden for his modernist approach. |
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In common with Augusta Savage, he studied at Cooper Union art school. |
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Hayden won a Harmon Foundation competition in 1933. |
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“Midsummer Night in Harlem”—painting by Palmer Hayden.
“Died Wid His Hammer in His Hands”—painting by Palmer Hayden. Smithsonian American Art Museum.
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Kennedy Center Education provides resources and experiences that inspire, excite, and empower students and young artists, plus the tools and connections to help educators incorporate the arts into classrooms and learning spaces of all types.
Generous support for educational programs at the Kennedy Center is provided by the U.S. Department of Education.
Gifts and grants to educational programs at the Kennedy Center are provided by The Paul M. Angell Family Foundation; Bank of America; Capital One; The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation; Carnegie Corporation of New York; The Ednah Root Foundation; Genesis Inspiration Foundation; Harman Family Foundation; William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust; the Kimsey Endowment; The Kiplinger Foundation; Laird Norton Family Foundation; Lois and Richard England Family Foundation; Dr. Gary Mather and Ms. Christina Co Mather; The Markow Totevy Foundation; Dr. Gerald and Paula McNichols Foundation; The Morningstar Foundation; Myra and Leura Younker Endowment Fund; The Irene Pollin Audience Development and Community Engagement Initiatives;
Prince Charitable Trusts; Dr. Deborah Rose and Dr. Jan A. J. Stolwijk; Rosemary Kennedy Education Fund; The Embassy of the United Arab Emirates; The Victory Foundation; The Volgenau Foundation; Jackie Washington; GRoW @ Annenberg and Gregory Annenberg Weingarten and Family; and generous contributors to the Abe Fortas Memorial Fund and by a major gift to the fund from the late Carolyn E. Agger, widow of Abe Fortas. Additional support is provided by the National Committee for the Performing Arts..
The content of these programs may have been developed under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education but does not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S. Department of Education. You should not assume endorsement by the federal government.
