Learn about the Harlem Renaissance and some of its core painters, sculptors and photographers. Explore the goals and aspirations of the movement and how it impacted the art and culture of the United States and beyond.
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The Harlem Renaissance produced some of the greatest art and ideas of the 20th century. Most emphasis is (understandably) placed on the literary and musical achievements of its artists like Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston, Billie Holiday and Duke Ellington. After discussing this foundational history, we will discuss some of the movement's core visual artists.
The first part of this short course provides a general historical context for the Harlem Renaissance before introducing the art of history painter Aaron Douglas, sculptor Meta Vaux Warrick and photographer James Van Der Zee, artists who visualised the aspirations of such a significant time and place. The second part will place emphasis on the life and work of Jacob Lawrence, a defining figure in the history of American art.
Please note: this Friday Late combines elements of previous lectures by this tutor on the topic of the Harlem Renaissance and the work of Jacob Lawrence. If you are familiar with her courses on this material, you may find the content of this course repetitive.
Content guidance: this course discusses artists directly impacted by racism in the United States. Their art will deal with these topics frankly. There will be representations of and references to lynching.
What will we cover?
The context of the Harlem Renaissance
A brief introduction to the art of Aaron Douglas
A brief introduction to the art of Meta Vaux Warrick
A brief introduction to the art of James Van Der Zee
An in-depth examination of the work of Jacob Lawrence, with emphasis on his Migration and Toussaint Louverture series
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
• Discuss the general context of the Harlem Renaissance • Describe the work of at least one of the artists we cover in the lecture • Explain the role of art in the Harlem Renaissance.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is open to all.
You should be able to operate basic elements of Zoom, e.g. microphone, camera and log in.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
You will be taught with lecture and slide presentation. There will be time for Q&A in the middle and end of the session. This is a live lecture and will not be recorded for reasons related to copyright, data protection and digital infrastructure.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
There are no additional costs.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Search for 'Friday Lates' to see all of the talks on offer in the coming year.
Sarah Jaffray holds a BA and MA in Art History with an emphasis in 19th/20th century France and a minor in the Italian Renaissance. She holds a second MA in Cultural Theory from Goldsmiths, University of London. Sarah was a lecturer for several colleges and universities in the Los Angeles area before relocating to London in 2012. She has worked in curatorial roles at the British Museum and Wellcome Collection. In addition to her current teaching at City Lit, Sarah is a lecturer at the University of Arts London and the Tutor Coordinator for City Lit's Art History programme. Her art historical practice focuses on experimental narratives, artistic process, art pedagogy, politics and philosophy. Sarah's current research is focused on translation and empathy.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/friday-lates-art-of-the-harlem-renaissance2985677Friday lates: Art of the Harlem Renaissancehttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/f/r/friday-lates-art-of-the-harlem-renaissance-vb116-1080.jpg1919GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Modern & contemporary art/Courses/Online courses228511361177189517311228511771136<p>Learn about the Harlem Renaissance and some of its core painters, sculptors and photographers. Explore the goals and aspirations of the movement and how it impacted the art and culture of the United States and beyond.</p>002985638Friday lates: Art of the Harlem Renaissance1919https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/f/r/friday-lates-art-of-the-harlem-renaissance-vb116-1080_1.jpgInStockEveningFriOnlineNo longer availableOne-off onlyWeekday2026-02-13T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allFeb 2026Culture, history & humanitiesVB1161919Friday lates: Art of the Harlem Renaissance191219Sarah Jaffrayfriday-lates-art-of-the-harlem-renaissance/vb116-2526<p>Learn about the Harlem Renaissance and some of its core painters, sculptors and photographers. Explore the goals and aspirations of the movement and how it impacted the art and culture of the United States and beyond.</p>0015-FullStillOpen|2026-02-13 00:00:00<p>The Harlem Renaissance produced some of the greatest art and ideas of the 20th century. Most emphasis is (understandably) placed on the literary and musical achievements of its artists like Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston, Billie Holiday and Duke Ellington. After discussing this foundational history, we will discuss some of the movement's core visual artists.<br/><br/>The first part of this short course provides a general historical context for the Harlem Renaissance before introducing the art of history painter Aaron Douglas, sculptor Meta Vaux Warrick and photographer James Van Der Zee, artists who visualised the aspirations of such a significant time and place. The second part will place emphasis on the life and work of Jacob Lawrence, a defining figure in the history of American art. </p><p>Please note: this Friday Late combines elements of previous lectures by this tutor on the topic of the Harlem Renaissance and the work of Jacob Lawrence. If you are familiar with her courses on this material, you may find the content of this course repetitive.</p><p><u><strong>Content guidance</strong></u>: this course discusses artists directly impacted by racism in the United States. Their art will deal with these topics frankly. There will be representations of and references to lynching.</p><p>Learn about the Harlem Renaissance and some of its core painters, sculptors and photographers. Explore the goals and aspirations of the movement and how it impacted the art and culture of the United States and beyond.</p><ul><li>The context of the Harlem Renaissance</li><li>A brief introduction to the art of Aaron Douglas</li><li>A brief introduction to the art of Meta Vaux Warrick</li><li>A brief introduction to the art of James Van Der Zee</li><li>An in-depth examination of the work of Jacob Lawrence, with emphasis on his <em>Migration</em> and <em>Toussaint Louverture</em> series</li></ul>• Discuss the general context of the Harlem Renaissance<br/>• Describe the work of at least one of the artists we cover in the lecture<br/>• Explain the role of art in the Harlem Renaissance.This course is open to all.<br/><br/>You should be able to operate basic elements of Zoom, e.g. microphone, camera and log in.<p>You will be taught with lecture and slide presentation. There will be time for Q&A in the middle and end of the session. <strong>This is a live lecture and will not be recorded for reasons related to copyright, data protection and digital infrastructure.</strong></p>There are no additional costs.<p>Search for 'Friday Lates' to see all of the talks on offer in the coming year.</p>Art historyModern & contemporary artvirtual191912VB116NONEFri13/02/2618:00 - 20:0018:0020:001 session1One-off onlyWeekdayOnlineOnlineSarah JaffrayBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allNo longer available2026-02-13T00:00:00+00:00EveningFeb 2026Culture, history & humanities1919Friday lates: Art of the Harlem Renaissancefriday-lates-art-of-the-harlem-renaissance/vb116-2526<p>Learn about the Harlem Renaissance and some of its core painters, sculptors and photographers. Explore the goals and aspirations of the movement and how it impacted the art and culture of the United States and beyond.</p>0015-FullStillOpen|2026-02-13 00:00:00<p>The Harlem Renaissance produced some of the greatest art and ideas of the 20th century. Most emphasis is (understandably) placed on the literary and musical achievements of its artists like Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston, Billie Holiday and Duke Ellington. After discussing this foundational history, we will discuss some of the movement's core visual artists.<br/><br/>The first part of this short course provides a general historical context for the Harlem Renaissance before introducing the art of history painter Aaron Douglas, sculptor Meta Vaux Warrick and photographer James Van Der Zee, artists who visualised the aspirations of such a significant time and place. The second part will place emphasis on the life and work of Jacob Lawrence, a defining figure in the history of American art. </p><p>Please note: this Friday Late combines elements of previous lectures by this tutor on the topic of the Harlem Renaissance and the work of Jacob Lawrence. If you are familiar with her courses on this material, you may find the content of this course repetitive.</p><p><u><strong>Content guidance</strong></u>: this course discusses artists directly impacted by racism in the United States. Their art will deal with these topics frankly. There will be representations of and references to lynching.</p><p>Learn about the Harlem Renaissance and some of its core painters, sculptors and photographers. Explore the goals and aspirations of the movement and how it impacted the art and culture of the United States and beyond.</p><ul><li>The context of the Harlem Renaissance</li><li>A brief introduction to the art of Aaron Douglas</li><li>A brief introduction to the art of Meta Vaux Warrick</li><li>A brief introduction to the art of James Van Der Zee</li><li>An in-depth examination of the work of Jacob Lawrence, with emphasis on his <em>Migration</em> and <em>Toussaint Louverture</em> series</li></ul>• Discuss the general context of the Harlem Renaissance<br/>• Describe the work of at least one of the artists we cover in the lecture<br/>• Explain the role of art in the Harlem Renaissance.This course is open to all.<br/><br/>You should be able to operate basic elements of Zoom, e.g. microphone, camera and log in.<p>You will be taught with lecture and slide presentation. There will be time for Q&amp;A in the middle and end of the session. <strong>This is a live lecture and will not be recorded for reasons related to copyright, data protection and digital infrastructure.</strong></p>There are no additional costs.<p>Search for 'Friday Lates' to see all of the talks on offer in the coming year.</p>Art historyModern & contemporary artconfigurable
18951136Modern & contemporary arthttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/art-history/modern-contemporary-art1/2/285/1177/1136/18951/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Modern & contemporary art
Gods and heroes from Classical to Renaissance artFull fee £199.00 Senior fee £159.00 Concession £129.00