James A Porter

By Abby Soltisz

About James A PorterBorn on December 22, 1905Also known as the Father of African-American

art historyGraduated from Armstrong Manual Training

SchoolMarried Dorothy Burnett and had a daughter,

named ConstanceBecame head of the art gallery department at

Howard University

Accomplishments:Won the Schomburg portrait prize in the

Harmon exhibition, one of the many exhibitions he participated in

In 1965, the National Gallery of Art selected Porter as one of the Nation’s 25 best art teachers

Author of “Modern Negro Art,” a well know and popular book, still today

James A Porters’ brother John introduced him to painting. His

family helped to motivate him to stick with what he loved doing. His goal was to continue painting and

help others be inspired artists.

After reading an account of a forgotten African-American artist Robert S. Duncanson, Porter decided to do more research about the art.

Works Cited Beth Ann Meyer “James A Porter.” Black

Renaissance home. Dclibrary.org, June 20, 2003.web. March 3, 2011.