Blackness, Symbolism, and American Modernism: Class, Race, Gender, and Sexuality

In this book, Lori Nel Johnson examines the work of Henry Ossawa Tanner (1859-1937), Meta Warrick Fuller (1877-1968), and F. Holland Day (1864-1933) in relation to the development of modernism during the turn of the century, and the official narratives surrounding this movement.

While Tanner and Fuller have been consistently linked in the history of American Art, the Pictorialist photographer and publisher, Day has rarely if ever been discussed with these two artists, despite the fact that all three were rough contemporaries and affiliated with Symbolism. The book compares the historical and social conditions that determined the lives and careers of these three artists, which curtailed their ambitions because of the intersections of class, race, gender, or sexuality. By examining each artist’s respective proximity to language on the basis of class, race, gender, and sexuality, this study avoids categorizing artists solely on the basis of difference, and thus, offers a more fulsome and radical reading of the development of modernism in the United States.

The book will be of interest to scholars of art history, design history, history of photography, American studies, and African American studies.

1146618223
Blackness, Symbolism, and American Modernism: Class, Race, Gender, and Sexuality

In this book, Lori Nel Johnson examines the work of Henry Ossawa Tanner (1859-1937), Meta Warrick Fuller (1877-1968), and F. Holland Day (1864-1933) in relation to the development of modernism during the turn of the century, and the official narratives surrounding this movement.

While Tanner and Fuller have been consistently linked in the history of American Art, the Pictorialist photographer and publisher, Day has rarely if ever been discussed with these two artists, despite the fact that all three were rough contemporaries and affiliated with Symbolism. The book compares the historical and social conditions that determined the lives and careers of these three artists, which curtailed their ambitions because of the intersections of class, race, gender, or sexuality. By examining each artist’s respective proximity to language on the basis of class, race, gender, and sexuality, this study avoids categorizing artists solely on the basis of difference, and thus, offers a more fulsome and radical reading of the development of modernism in the United States.

The book will be of interest to scholars of art history, design history, history of photography, American studies, and African American studies.

56.99 In Stock
Blackness, Symbolism, and American Modernism: Class, Race, Gender, and Sexuality

Blackness, Symbolism, and American Modernism: Class, Race, Gender, and Sexuality

by Lori Nel Johnson
Blackness, Symbolism, and American Modernism: Class, Race, Gender, and Sexuality

Blackness, Symbolism, and American Modernism: Class, Race, Gender, and Sexuality

by Lori Nel Johnson

eBook

$56.99 

Available on Compatible NOOK devices, the free NOOK App and in My Digital Library.
WANT A NOOK?  Explore Now

Related collections and offers


Overview

In this book, Lori Nel Johnson examines the work of Henry Ossawa Tanner (1859-1937), Meta Warrick Fuller (1877-1968), and F. Holland Day (1864-1933) in relation to the development of modernism during the turn of the century, and the official narratives surrounding this movement.

While Tanner and Fuller have been consistently linked in the history of American Art, the Pictorialist photographer and publisher, Day has rarely if ever been discussed with these two artists, despite the fact that all three were rough contemporaries and affiliated with Symbolism. The book compares the historical and social conditions that determined the lives and careers of these three artists, which curtailed their ambitions because of the intersections of class, race, gender, or sexuality. By examining each artist’s respective proximity to language on the basis of class, race, gender, and sexuality, this study avoids categorizing artists solely on the basis of difference, and thus, offers a more fulsome and radical reading of the development of modernism in the United States.

The book will be of interest to scholars of art history, design history, history of photography, American studies, and African American studies.


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781040353301
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
Publication date: 04/29/2025
Series: Routledge Research in Art and Race
Sold by: Barnes & Noble
Format: eBook
Pages: 210
File size: 43 MB
Note: This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Lori Nel Johnson is Associate Professor of Art History at Morgan State University.

Table of Contents

Introduction 1. The Good Shepherd: Symbolism, Mysticism, and Tanner’s Spiritual Conversion 2. From Sculptor of Horrors to Race Artist: Meta Warrick Fuller’s Silent Protest and the Language of Sexual and Racial Oppression 3. “A Summering Maker Place”: F. Holland Day’s Nubians and the Limits of Progressive Philanthropy Conclusion

From the B&N Reads Blog

Customer Reviews