Top 13 Quotes & Sayings by Henry Ossawa Tanner

Explore popular quotes and sayings by an American artist Henry Ossawa Tanner.

Last updated on September 17, 2024.

Henry Ossawa Tanner was an American artist and the first African-American painter to gain international acclaim. Tanner moved to Paris, France, in 1891 to study at the Académie Julian and gained acclaim in French artistic circles. His painting Daniel in the Lions' Den was accepted into the 1896 Salon, the official art exhibition of the Académie des Beaux-Arts in Paris. Tanner's Resurrection of Lazarus was purchased by the French government after winning the third-place medal at the 1897 Salon. In 1923, the French government elected Tanner chevalier of the Legion of Honor.

American - Artist | June 21, 1859 - May 25, 1937

Source: Wikipedia

I believe the Negro blood counts, and counts to my advantage - though it has caused me at times a life of great humiliation and sorrow.

Henry Ossawa Tanner

I decided on the spot that I would be an artist, and I assure you, it was no ordinary artist I had in mind.

Henry Ossawa Tanner

Many of the artists who have represented Negro life have seen only the comic, ludicrous side of it, and have lacked sympathy with and appreciation for the warm big heart that dwells within such a rough exterior.

Henry Ossawa Tanner

It seemed to me that this might be a great pageant, which would give a chance for a very interesting picture.

Henry Ossawa Tanner

My efforts have been to not only put the Biblical incident in the original setting, but at the same time give the human touch which makes the whole world kin and which ever remains the same.

Henry Ossawa Tanner

Get it - get it better or get it worse. No middle ground of compromise.

Henry Ossawa Tanner

The physical characteristics of the child Jesus will always remain a point of discussion. No artist has ever produced a type, nor ever will, that has in it all that the varying minds of all time will acknowledge as complete.

Henry Ossawa Tanner

I will preach with my brush.

Henry Ossawa Tanner

My effort has been not only to put the Biblical incident in the original setting... but at the same time give the human touch to convey to my public the reverence and elevation these subjects impart to me.

Henry Ossawa Tanner

Many of the artists who have represented Negro life have seen only the comic, the ludicrous side of it, and have lacked sympathy with and appreciation for the warm, big heart that dwells within such a rough exterior.

Henry Ossawa Tanner

I believe the Negro blood counts, and counts to my advantage – though it has caused me at times a life of great humiliation and sorrow.

Henry Ossawa Tanner

I was extremely timid and to be made to feel that I was not wanted, although in a place where I had every right to be, even months afterwards caused me sometimes weeks of pain. Every time any one of these disagreeable incidents came into my mind, my heart sank, and I was anew tortured by the thought of what I had endured, almost as much as the incident itself.

Henry Ossawa Tanner

My effort has been not only to put the Biblical incident in the original setting… but at the same time give the human touch to convey to my public the reverence and elevation these subjects impart to me.

Henry Ossawa Tanner

Top 13 Quotes & Sayings by Henry Ossawa Tanner

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