The Art of Romare Bearden

Romare Bearden’s vibrant work was inspired by both personal experience and the culture of his surroundings. The rural South, Pittsburgh, Harlem — these places not only served as home for Bearden but also as rich sources of artistic inspiration. The themes of society became the themes of his work, where jazz culture, ritual practice, religion, history, and literature all figure prominently. His complex, imaginative oeuvre offers an invaluable view of mid-twentieth-century African American experience.

The Art of Romare Bearden is organized by the National Gallery of Art, Washington.

The exhibition is made possible with generous support from AT&T.

SFMOMA’S presentation is supported by a generous grant from the Koret Foundation and Catholic Healthcare West.