Henry Ossawa Tanner: The Holy Family, c.1909-1910
Listen to the Story: 5 minutes
Audio-only: (best on mobile)
Description:
Henry Ossawa Tanner, who was one of the most accomplished African-American artists of his day, is celebrated for his depictions of biblical subjects using a modernist visual language. This video explores how Henry Ossawa Tanner’s painting The Holy Family initially seems to portray a simple domestic moment. Tanner’s composition and use of light encourages the viewer to see the subject as a world transformed by grace. Written and narrated by Dr. James Romaine. This video may contain advertisement placed there by the copyright holders of Mahalia Jackson’s music. Please support her beautiful music.
