Analysis of Aaron Douglas's Murals

Aaron Douglas painted a series of murals in the 1930's that depicted the Negro story. His purpose of painting them was "to establish and maintain recognition of our essential humanity, in other words, complete social and political equality" (qtd in Patton 143). Douglas's murals, such as Harriet Tubman and Into Bondage, are his way of expressing the Negro identity and story. The vivid colors and concentric circles help focus and highlight key aspects of the Negro life and past experience. By expressing who the Negro is, he can help fight for "complete equality." Through his murals, he depicts past experiences of the black race and highlights issues that help explain who the Negro is. As a result, they provide a means of education to viewers. Douglas creates a means to fight against the social injustices and racial barriers and conveys the Negro identity through the use historical references, emphasis on race consciousness, and avoiding the use of stereotypical representations of the Negro.

Through the use of historical references of Harriet Tubman, the Civil War, and slavery, Douglas is able to convey a strong message of where the Negro story has been and experienced. History provides a strong foundation to understanding more current issues and changes. Thus, it is understandable that Douglas often incorporates a key historical event, figure, or concept into his powerful murals. In his mural, Harriet Tubman, he presents Tubman as the central figure and focus of the artwork. The beam of light that shines down on her illuminates her figure and shows emphasis. Tubman is symbolic of the defiance of slavery and can serve to remind viewers about the past. Furthermore, there is a cannon with smoke coming out of the tip. The cannon is symbolic of the Civil War, which is another important event in the Negro story. It is undoubtedly another symbolic representation that is similar to the Tubman figure. In the other mural, Into Bondage, Douglas also focuses on incorporating the past into his work. This time, however, he uses the shackles to signify the slavery that blacks have endured throughout the years. The use of the past allows the viewer to understand what blacks have lived through. The use of the historical events and figures allows Douglas to convey where the Negro identity stems from. Knowledge of the Negro past strengthens the murals' message.

In addition to using historical references, Douglas also emphasized the concept of race consciousness. His works often explained what it means to be black, how to live as a black man, and how to be a black American. In his Harriet Tubman mural, he is able to show the different aspects of the Negro life and identity through the concentric circles. The circles depict different parts of the Negro identity. There is the Negro in terms of his African heritage, but there is also the Negro life in America. He emphasizes the race consciousness through the figures towards the left of the mural. They are figures holding pots above their heads and seem to be at work. They appear to be laboring hard and diligently, which suggests their hard work. They need to make a living and survive and must take on tough jobs. This represents a layer of their identity, which is the need to fit into the white world. To convey the Negro experience, he also includes the historical figure of Tubman to show what the race has endured in this country. Through all of these elements, Douglas portrays the various aspects that contribute the Negro identity but more importantly, he displays the race consciousness and their pride to be black. Their pride of their heritage is shown through the figures on the right side of the mural. They are depicted in more of an African fashion in terms of their wardrobe, style, and prayer. Thus throughout his murals, Douglas hones in on the importance of race consciousness and helps illuminate the different aspects of what it means to be a Negro.

Finally, Douglas strengthens the impact of his artwork by avoiding the use of black stereotype. In both Harriet Tubman and Into Bondage, he does not incorporate any common caricature characteristics to portray his figures. He does not use the image of sex and avoids depicting any promiscuity. Instead, his figures have a modest and almost simplistic appeal. They look strong and resilient but not primitive and simpleminded as whites see them. He captures the humanistic side of the figures and presents them in a positive light, such as with the ray of light shining down on Tubman's figure. Furthermore, his artwork lacks the large lips and voluptuous bodies that are often associated with blacks. Instead, he reduces the features in his figures by making them appear as shadows and silhouettes. This reduction of the differences allows the deeper meaning and purpose of his murals to permeate through. As Douglas said, he wanted to express blacks in a light of "essential humanity" and wants to show the story of the Negro race and educate viewers of their past. The lack of stereotype characteristics allows him to lift the status of the Negro and attack the social injustices.

Douglas's compelling murals tell the Negro story in a captivating manner. He uses beautiful colors and shadows compounded by modernist art characteristics. He depicts the past experiences of the black race through historical references and places strong emphasis on race consciousness. His murals serve as a means of education and motivation. They seek to fight against the oppression and create a more just world. His work avoids the use of stereotypes to promote the Negro cause and destroy the racial barriers. Through the series of murals, Douglas depicts important historical events that help contribute to the race consciousness. He provided a means for blacks to fight against the standards set by whites and shatter the racial barriers.

Works Cited

Patton, Sharon. African-American Art. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1998.