Black History Month at VMFA

About This Exhibition

The Prodigal Son, after 1927, Aaron Douglas (American, 1899–1979), oil on canvas. J. Harwood and Louise B. Cochrane Fund for American Art

Booker T. Washington, 1928, Richmond Barthé (American, 1901–1989), painted plaster. Lent by a Private Collection

Marian Anderson, 1965, Beauford Delaney (American, 1901–1979), oil on canvas. J. Harwood and Louise B. Cochrane Fund for American Art

Center Table, 1850s, Attributed to Thomas Day (American 1801–1861), mahogany veneer, tulip poplar, marble top, brass casters. Kathleen Boone Samuels Memorial Fund

Southern Landscape, 1941, Eldzier Cortor (American, 1916–2015), oil on masonite. Arthur and Margaret Glasgow Endowment

Glass Pavilion, 2011, Theaster Gates (American, born 1973), wood, hose, metal, glass lantern slides. Gift of Pamela K. and William A. Royall, Jr.

Black History Month at VMFA

To commemorate Black History Month, VMFA has scheduled gallery installations and programs that explore works by African and African American artists. Their stories attest to the resilience of African American artists, who pushed against bigotry and injustice to establish their place in the nation’s cultural history.

In addition, public programs during February offer a range of talks, classes, and performances that further examine African and African American art and their continuing impact on our history and culture.

This photo gallery shows just a handful of works by African American artists that visitors can encounter in the galleries during Black History Month and beyond!