Henry Ossawa Tanner: Letters of Influence

This project was made to broaden the knowledge of the artist and former Philadelphia resident, Henry Ossawa Tanner. The mural is located not far from his house and walking distance to where he went to elementary school. Having studied under Thomas Eakins at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts (PAFA) as one the first graduating black students, Tanner is credited as a pioneer in the arts under the African American banner. After graduating, Tanner found the professional reality of the United States and the discrimination he faced challenging. Although pressures and discontent were high, he chose to strive forward and relocated himself in Paris at which point he blossomed into one of the most successful artists of the time. Known primarily as a religious painter who had a unique approach to capturing biblical subject matter, tanner was also in more contemporary circles renowned for his urban contemporary displays like the “thankful poor” in which he portrayed African Americans in a natural setting doing day to day activities. For this project, (the artist) looked to make the general public more knowledgeable about this man, his life and struggles as an attempt to show people that tribulations can be overcome with great results.