Henry Ossawa Tanner - “The Thankful Poor” 1894
Henry Ossawa Tanner “The Thankful Poor” 1894
Henry Ossawa Tanner (1859–1937) was one of the most prominent African American artists of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His life story, however, is more about perseverance, creativity, and overcoming the obstacles of his time with direct experiences of slavery. Henry Ossawa Tanner was born on June 21, 1859, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to a middle-class African American family. His father, Benjamin Tucker Tanner, was a former enslaved person who became a prominent minister in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. His mother, Sarah Miller Tanner, was also born into slavery but had gained her freedom before Henry's birth. Growing up in a relatively stable environment, Henry was not subjected to the harsh realities of slavery, but his family history had its long struggles with slavery. Tanner’s early exposure to the arts came from his mother, who encouraged him to pursue drawing. At the age of 13, Tanner enrolled at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, where he studied under renowned artists, including Thomas Eakins. With time Tanner excelled in his studies and gained his own distinctive artistic style. While Tanner himself did not experience slavery, his life was shaped by the effects of racism and segregation prevalent in the post-Civil War United States. In the 1880s, Tanner was faced with harsh obstacles as a Black artist in a racially discriminative society, he continued to struggle in America to gain acceptance and recognition, ultimately he moved to Paris where he found great artistic freedom and a more welcoming environment. Tanner's relocation to Paris symbolized his escape from the racial prejudices that hindered his career in America. Living in Europe, he became one of the first African American artists to achieve international recognition. His work, which often focused on religious themes, biblical scenes, and African American life, was admired for its technical mastery and emotional depth.
"The Thankful Poor" made in 1894 is one of Henry Ossawa Tanner’s most celebrated works, showcasing his remarkable ability to blend technical mastery with deep emotional resonance. The painting depicts an intimate moment between an elderly man and a young boy, both of which are seen sitting at a modest table and offering a prayer of thanks for their meal. The scene is simple yet profound, capturing themes of faith, gratitude, and the beauty of everyday life, within African American communities. The piece showed Europeans the life of African Americans in America. The painting explores themes of faith, gratitude, and religious devotion. The man and the boy’s bowed heads reflect and highlight the significance of being thankful for even the smallest blessings such as a meal. Tanner portrays the peace and quietness of an African American life, the ordinary act of a prayer becomes something that is sacred. The painting also depicts the generational bond between the elderly man and the boy, The older man is seen praying with full devotion while the poor seem more relaxed and his gaze is focused on the food. It shows a serene moment between the grandpa and the boy where one highlights his devotions to the sacred, and one thankful for the materialistic aspects of life. The simple meal of bread and a pitcher of water shows the simplicity of life, it subtly critiques the notions of material wealth, suggesting that true richness lies in faith, love and gratitude. Showing that spiritual fulfillment can exist even in the absence of material abundance.
One of the most striking aspects of "The Thankful Poor" is Tanner’s masterful use of light. Deeply influenced by the European old masters, specifically their use of lighting to create mood and highlight key elements of a composition. The soft, diffused natural light in the painting seems to emanate from a window casting a gentle glow on the elderly man and the child, while the rest of the room remains in relative shadow. The illumination of the figures emphasizes the importance and draws the viewer's focus to their prayer. Tanner’s use of chiaroscuro (the contrast between light and dark) adds depth and dimension to the composition, enhancing the emotional weight of the scene. The figures emerge from the darkened background, bathed in soft, warm light, which gives them a sense of sanctity and serenity.
The Thankful Poor stands as a powerful example of Henry Ossawa Tanner’s ability to combine technical skill, symbolism, and a strong narrative to explore themes of faith, family, and the dignity of African American life. His masterful use of light and shadow draws attention to the central act of prayer, suggesting that spirituality, gratitude, and familial bonds are at the heart of the human experience. Although Tanner’s early life was marked by the struggles of a Black person living in post-slavery America, his escape to Europe allowed him to find artistic freedom and success, overcoming the racial barriers that existed in the United States. His life and career serve as a testament to the power of perseverance, vision, and the desire to transcend societal limitations. This is one of the older works I will cover in this series. Does this art influence you to reflect on your own aspects of simple life?
Henry Ossawa Tanner “The Thankful Poor” 1894 (35 1/2 in × 44 1/4 in (90.2 cm × 112.4 cm)
