Afro-Cuban artist reimagines Renaissance art with Black people at the center

CNN ^ | 09 18 2023 | Kristen Rogers

[yesthatjallen]

Consider Michelangelo’s famous “Creation of Adam,” Sandro Botticelli’s “The Birth of Venus” or Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper.” When you think of Western art’s grand visual narratives of humanity’s inception — and all its triumphs, beauty, tragedies and meaning — they likely look very White.

This is because, for centuries, the artistic traditions of the European Renaissance have been the authority of such themes. It was from the 15th to 16th century that “art came to be seen as a branch of knowledge,” according to Britannica, “valuable in its own right and capable of providing man with images of God and his creations as well as with insights into man’s position in the universe.”

But Afro-Cuban American artist Harmonia Rosales is among those seeking to radically change this centering of Western ideologies as standard. A selection of her work in this vein is currently on display in the exhibition “Harmonia Rosales: Master Narrative” at the Spelman College Museum of Fine Art in Atlanta. (A version of the exhibition was first shown last year at the AD&A Museum at the University of California, Santa-Barbara.)

SNIP

[yesthatjallen]

Where is the art of the 15th and 16th century African Renaissance artists?

[HYPOCRACY]

On cave walls.

[Bon of Babble]

They can’t come up with anything on their own, don’t have the creativity - so they have to copy Western art.

[wardaddy]

Silly

Paint African tribal Paleolithic art

What’s wrong with that

Indians pretty much do that

[MIA_eccl1212]

What if the real artists... were all cannibals from dark center of africa, central america, or austrailia? what would their art regarding God look like?

oh forgot... they ate all their artists and had two for breakfast on Sundays...

[T.B. Yoits]

When you can’t come up with something original, there’s always parody.

[tomkat]

Neolithic plagiarists.

[BigFreakinToad]

not on velvet or done with a spray can, impressive.....NOT!

[wardaddy]

I swear blacks are the most FOMO group out there

Nashville downtown lower broad scene

Full of white Trump land folks every night club crawling with Midwesterners and bridesmaids junkets seeking classic music covers and modern pop country and a few traditional joints

Yet you see blacks mixed wandering about

Some are genuine I’ve known some okie cowboy blacks but most just have to be there

To experience it

It’s the same with classic white art

Don’t want to miss out

Plus wokies applaud

[NorthMountain]

Where is the art of the 15th and 16th century African Renaissance artists?

It doesn't exist, just as the African Renaissance doesn't exist. And then we have this ignorant tw@t, with no ability to develop an original idea, simply parodying the work of actual artists.

[MNDude]

“Creation of Adam,” Sandro Botticelli’s “The Birth of Venus” or Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper.” When you think of Western art’s grand visual narratives of humanity’s inception — and all its triumphs, beauty, tragedies and meaning — they likely look very White.”

Look very white? Gee, why do you think that is?

[MNDude]

It looks like something AI put together

[Liberty Valance]

"Where is the art of the 15th and 16th century African Renaissance artists?"Probably in museums in London, Rome, Brazil and New York.

[Romulus]

Now do white artists piggybacking on black artists.

[escapefromboston]

Hey is this that “cultural appropriation” I’ve been hearing about?

[No name given]

Indeed.

[ClearCase_guy]

It’s different when they do it.

[No name given]

It is.

[teeman8r]

i think it is pretty good.

i like when we redid the obama administration with an old white guy.

[Altura Ct.]

Why?

Create your own art.

Just more anti-white BS