PROVIDENCE, R.I. — A significant new grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities will support the development of the first major retrospective exhibition of Edward Mitchell Bannister, a pioneering African American painter largely overlooked in art history. Brown University’s Dietrich Neumann, a professor of art and architecture, will spearhead the project.
Bannister, who lived and worked in Providence’s College Hill neighborhood for much of his life, is celebrated for his evocative pastoral landscapes and seascapes. His works frequently capture the Rhode Island coastline, showcasing the natural beauty of the region.
Neumann, in collaboration with Sara Picard, Associate Professor at Rhode Island College, will curate the exhibition and produce an accompanying catalog. The initiative aims to shed light on Bannister’s significant contributions to American art, highlighting his unique blend of European influences and American themes.
“Bannister represents a crucial intersection of European artistic ideas and American innovation,” Neumann stated. “This exhibition will help rectify the long-standing underrepresentation of 19th-century African American artists. Bannister’s work is a vital piece of American art history that deserves broader recognition.”
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