James Amos Porter, (American, 1905-1970)

Seraphim and Cherubim, Lagos 20 1/16 x 14 1/16in (51 x 35.7cm)

Seraphim and Cherubim, Lagos
oil on canvas
20 1/16 x 14 1/16in (51 x 35.7cm)
Painted in 1964

Provenance
The estate of Prof. Adelaide M. Cromwell (1919-2019).

Exhibited
Washington, DC, Howard University, Gallery of Art, 'Retrospective Exhibition: Paintings of the Years 1954-1964', 1965, cat no. 24.

James A. Porter, born in Baltimore in 1905, was the first African-American art historian. His 1943 book Modern Negro Art was the earliest comprehensive treatment of African-American art, he was an art instructor at Howard University and chairman of its art department, a position he retained until his death.

In 1963 he made an educational trip to West Africa, sponsored by the Evening Star, Washington DC. There he conducted research for a book on West African architecture and completed a series of twenty-five paintings dealing with West African themes. These paintings were exhibited in the Gallery of Art at Howard University following his return.

Adelaide Cromwell was the founder of the African American Studies Center at Boston University in 1959 and did much raise awareness of Boston's black history.