7 Notable Artworks and Artists Associated with Howard University

One of the Gallery’s earliest acquisitions, Henry O. Tanner’s Return from the Crucifixion is considered a jewel in its collections. The first African American painter to gain international acclaim, Tanner (1859–1937) studied in Paris. 

He traveled back and forth between France and the U.S. until 1903, when he and his family permanently relocated to France to avoid the U.S.’ racist policies. An accomplished, award-winning painter, Tanner’s latter work focused on religious subjects. Return was his last completed painting.

The Gallery also contains work by 19th century landscape artist Robert Seldon Duncanson (1821–1872). Considered a second generation Hudson River School artist, Duncanson spent considerable time in Cincinnati, Ohio and helped develop the Ohio River Valley landscape tradition. 

Born a free Black man, Duncanson was actively involved with abolitionist communities in the U.S., Canada, and Britain. Abolitionists sponsored Duncanson’s “grand tour” of Europe in 1853, making him the first African American artist with an international audience. Land of the Lotus Eaters was his most acclaimed painting.

Howard University is known for a number of impressive art installations across its campus. This outstanding abstract sculpture by Richard Hunt (1925–2023) is installed in front of Crampton Auditorium. A tall bronze pillar incised at the top with sharp triangular lines, the sculpture morphs into biomorphic wing-like shapes. 

One of the foremost sculptors of the last century, Hunt was deeply committed to Civil Rights and exploring the meaning of freedom. In 1968, he became the first African American visual artist on the National Council on the Arts and had the first retrospective for an African American sculptor at MoMA in 1971. 

The first graduate of Howard’s newly formed Department of Art in 1924, Alma Thomas (1891–1978) was the first American woman to earn a bachelor's degree in art. She was also the first Black woman to have an exhibition at the Whitney and to have work acquired by the White House. 

A major figure in 20th century painting, Thomas is known for exuberant, brightly colored abstract paintings. The Washington, D.C.–based artist and teacher is considered part of the Washington Color School art movement.   

Two years after founding the art department at Palmer Memorial Institute in North Carolina, Loïs Mailou Jones (1905 to 1998) was recruited to join Howard's Department of Art. From 1930–77, Jones taught generations of African American artists. 

Her vibrant, expressive paintings were influenced by styles and motifs– particularly African tribal elements she was exposed to throughout her travels to Europe, Africa, and the Caribbean. The chiseled features of the figures in The Lovers (Somali Friends) echo the style of African masks.

One of Jones’ students, sculptor and graphic artist Elizabeth Catlett (1915–2012), graduated cum laude in 1935. Catlett went on to study with Grant Woods at the University of Iowa, becoming the first African American woman to get an MFA. 

A figurative artist and staunch activist who integrated abstraction into her work, Catlett explored and revealed the lived Black experience. Influenced by African and Mexican folk art, Catlett received a fellowship to study in Mexico in 1946, relocating there permanently after meeting her future husband, artist ​​Francisco Mora.

Fiber artist Bisa Butler (1973), who graduated cum laude from Howard in 1995, has revolutionized the quilting medium. Unquestionably establishing quilting as a fine art, Butler uses color, pattern, texture, and line to create wonderfully photorealist painterly quilted portraits. Her portraits of both everyday people and historical figures celebrate Black life and have been featured on the cover of Time magazine.