Contents
Henry Ossawa Tanner
Painting intimate scenes and biblical works that gained international recognition.
The Banjo Lesson · The Raising of Lazarus
- Born
- 21 June 1859
- Birthplace
- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
- Died
- 25 May 1937
More people
Henry Ossawa Tanner
Henry Ossawa Tanner was an American painter who built much of his career in France.
Early life
Family
His father was an African Methodist Episcopal minister.
Training
Studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts under Thomas Eakins.
Career
- 1880s
Early career
Trained and worked in the United States.
- 1891 onward
Paris
Moved to France for further study and a more supportive artistic environment.
- Later career
Religious painting
Developed luminous biblical scenes and exhibited internationally.
Selected paintings
The Banjo Lesson
Painted an intimate scene of knowledge passing between generations.
The Raising of Lazarus
Won recognition at the Paris Salon.
The Annunciation
Reimagined the biblical encounter through light and a humble interior.
Beyond work
Travel
Visited the Middle East to inform his religious paintings.
Recognition
Received France’s Legion of Honour in 1923.
Sources & photo credit
Life, career and references ↗Smithsonian American Art Museum: biography ↗Photo: Frederick Gutekunst. Public domain · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
