Aaron Douglas (artist)

Aaron Douglas (May 26, 1899 – February 2, 1979) was an American painter, illustrator and visual arts educator. He was a major figure in the Harlem Renaissance. He developed his art career painting murals and creating illustrations that addressed social issues concerning race and segregation in the United States by utilizing African-centric imagery. Douglas set performing arts for young, African-American artists to enter public arts realm through his involvement when the Harlem Artists Guild. In 1944, he concluded his art career by founding the Art Department at Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee. He taught visual art classes at Fisk until his retirement in 1966. Douglas is known as a prominent leader in radical African-American art whose produce a result influenced artists for years to come.