Winold Reiss, Jean Toomer, ca. 1925, pastel.

In this lesson, we will delve into the symbolism and themes of Harlem Renaissance art. We will explore how writers, painters, and photographers use symbolism to convey deeper meanings and messages, and how themes help tie these symbols together to create a cohesive narrative. By understanding these artistic devices, we will gain a deeper appreciation for the complexities of the Harlem Renaissance era and the works produced during this time.

We will examine themes of Black womanhood, the Black rural south, the Great Migration, and urban vivacity, and analyze how they contribute to the overall meaning and impact of the works. Through close reading and discussion, we will uncover the hidden layers of meaning behind the symbols and themes in selected works from prominent Harlem Renaissance figures such as Jean Toomer, Laura Wheeler Waring, James Van der Zee, Jacob Lawrence, and William H. Johnson, and learn how they reflect the social, political, and cultural realities of the time period. We will also analyze how these creators used their art to express identity, struggles, and hopes of African Americans during the early 20th century.

By the end of this lesson, students will have gained a deeper understanding of the Harlem Renaissance as a pivotal moment in African American history, and be able to critically analyze and appreciate the significance of texts and artworks from this period in relation to culture, society, and artistic expression.

Key Lesson Concepts:

• Black womanhood
• The Black rural south
• The Great Migration
• Lynching
• Analyze cultural, social, and political elements in texts and artworks
• Interpret symbolism and messages in works by Harlem Renaissance figures

Upon completion of this lesson, you will be able to:

• Identify & define common themes in Harlem Renaissance cultural production.
• Identify & explain the works of key Harlem Renaissance artists.
• Understand the significance of the Great Migration.

Jacob Lawrence, Great Migration panel 1: During World War I there was a great migration north by southern African Americans, ca. 1940, tempera.

Learning Activities

This week's activities include the following:

Readings: This week we explore several poems in Jean Toomer's Cane in juxtaposition to the works of several of his visual arts contemporaries.

poems are located within the A Shared Existence pdf file below

Lectures: Video lectures are included in this lesson to provide more scholarly analysis of and historical context for key points within the readings.

Lecture 1 - A Shared Existence: African-American Visual Artists, Writers, and the Black Experience 1920-1940. During the Harlem Renaissance, African American visual artists and writers worked across genres to depict truthful representations of Black people in the U.S. From the Great Migration to the devastation of lynching, artists chronicled the realities of the Black experience. In this April 2024 presenation to highschool educators throughout the state of Michigan, Dr. Morgan interprets the works of Jean Toomer, Jacob Lawrence, William H. Johnson, and more to explain the ways that historical African American artists valued Black life & culture.

Resources: Check out the Tools for Visual Analysis guide for key methods of art interpretation. 

Quiz: A short quiz is included in this lesson to test your retention of key terms, concepts, and the author's primary argument(s).