Portrait of the Artist's Mother by Henry Ossawa Tanner - 1897 - 74.3 × 100.3 cm Philadelphia Museum of Art Portrait of the Artist's Mother by Henry Ossawa Tanner - 1897 - 74.3 × 100.3 cm Philadelphia Museum of Art

Portrait of the Artist's Mother

Oil on canvas • 74.3 × 100.3 cm
  • Henry Ossawa Tanner - June 21, 1859 - May 25, 1937 Henry Ossawa Tanner 1897

Painted during a triumphant return from Paris in 1897, Henry Ossawa Tanner's portrait of his mother serves as both a heartfelt homage to Sarah Tanner, the central and grounding figure within her large African American family, and a joyous celebration of her son's recent achievements in his chosen career. Despite facing initial opposition from his parents, Henry Ossawa Tanner persevered and achieved a great success in the art world.

In terms of composition, this work draws inspiration from another very famous American artwork: James Abbott McNeill Whistler's Portrait of the Artist's Mother from 1871. Tanner's portrayal of his mother, however, diverges significantly from the cool austerity of Whistler's piece. Instead, it offers a warm, affectionate depiction of a strong, sensitive, and contemplative personality.

This painting is a part of our celebration of Black History Month.  :)

P.S. Henry Ossawa Tanner was known for his beautiful religious paintings and scenes of African American life, which made him the first internationally successful African American painter. Learn more about his life. For more African American art, see the articles below.