c. 1927-1929

Birds in Flight

American, 1899 - 1979

In this painting Aaron Douglas merges flying birds with their urban environment. Their bright feathers match the sunset colors of the sky and their flapping wings become progressively more geometric, taking on the look of industrial architecture. Douglas began painting in this modern style shortly after moving to New York in 1925. There, he became one of the principle artists associated with the African American cultural movement known as the Harlem Renaissance.