Today In Black History - Henry Ossawa Tanner
On this date in 1973 Henry Ossawa Tanner the world-renowned artist, was commemorated on a U.S. postage stamp. Tanner who was born on June 21, 1859 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was an African American artist best known for his paintings of religious subjects, genre scenes, and portraits. He is widely considered the first African American painter to gain international fame and recognition for is outstanding pieces. His work had a great effect on the works of Norman Rockwell and William Edouard Scott. Tanner's most famous work is his painting entitled The Banjo Lesson.His painting Sand Dunes at Sunset, Atlantic City hangs in the Green Room at the White House. This piece was the first painting by an African-American artist to enter the permanent collection of the White House.
Sand Dunes at Sunset, Atlantic City - 1885
