Black History Month Art #2: Henry O. Tanner, 1893

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Henry O Tanner, “The Banjo Lesson”, Photo Credit: PBS via Hampton University

The Banjo Lesson. This was another piece that I saw at the Rhapsodies in Black show at the Palace of Legion of Honor way back in 1998, but this work means so much to me because my parents have a copy of this in their home;   I adore it.  Technically it is such a stunning work, but the sense of calm and serenity is so palpable here.  The world around this pair is unimaginable, but the simplicity and tenderness of this moment is universal.

Correction: The Banjo Lesson was not featured in the Rhapsodies in Black exhibition

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