Ten Afro-American artists of the Nineteenth century

This catalog was issued in connection with an exhibition organized by James Porter commemorating the centennial of Howard University in 1967. Porter’s aims were, "to illustrate that which the Afro-American artist achieved in spite of the chilling limitations of social and historical factors which opposed him in colonial days and virtually throughout Nineteenth century America. It is also intended to distinguish the productions of that number who by dint of talent and perseverance escaped the dark oblivion into which many of their contemporaries have disappeared. Most important of all, the exhibition is an effort to show as large a group as possible of major works by Afro-Americans which though but little known to Americans are gradually winning esteem for their originators."


The exhibition asserted the place of artists such as Edmonia Lewis, Robert S. Duncanson, and Edward M. Bannister as an integral part of American culture.