Hartwell Yeargens Art for Sale at Auction

b. 1915 - d. 2005

Hartwell Yeargans: A contemporary African American painter and printmaker, Hartwell Yeargans's initial education in the arts was at a Kansas City high school, where he majored in sign painting between (1930 & 1933). Some years later he resumed his instructions in New York City's Art Students League, studying painting and drawing techniques under Morris Kantor (1948-51). Hartwell Yeargans first exhibited his art at Atlanta University, Georgia, in 1950. During the following decades his art was included in group exhibitions in New York, Connecticut, Maine, Mexico City and San Miguel de Allende, and in exhibitions of African American art at the Karamu Gallery, Cleveland (1969), Philadelphia Civic Center (1969), and at the Whitney Museum, New York (1971).

The art of the woodcut became a primary focus for Hartwell Yeargans during the 1960's and 1970's. To this end he studied printmaking techniques with Tom Yamamoto at Goddard College, Vermont, from 1968 to 1971. At this date he received his B.A. in Fine Arts and Art Education. As well, Hartwell Yeargans assumed the post of Instructor of Printmaking at the Brooklyn Museum Art School from 1969 to 1971. It is quite possible that Music Makers was created there. From 1971 to 1981 Hartwell Yeargans lived and worked in Copenhagen, Denmark. The artist then returned to New York and served as Instructor of Drawing and Printmaking at Parsons School of Design from 1982 to 1990.

During the latter decades of the twentieth century the art of Hartwell Yeargans has been exhibited at major international institutions in Paris, Copenhagen and Stockholm. Today his prints and paintings are found in such permanent collections as the Ballerup Raadhus, Denmark, Frederiksberg Skolen, Copenhagen, Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris, Georgetown University, Washington D.C., and the DuSable Museum, Chicago.

The world of music and musicians has always played a large role in the art of Hartwell Yeargans. In 1970, for example, he collaborated with Duke Ellington and his Orchestral in a performance of music and paintings at the Festival of the Arts, Long Island University, New York. Music Makers, a five color woodcut, is a brilliant example of the printmaking techniques of this important African American artist.