Eldzier Cortor

Eldzier Cortor was an American artist born in 1916 in Richmond, Virginia, and he passed away in 2015. He was a prominent figure in the Harlem Renaissance, an influential cultural movement that celebrated African American cultural and artistic expression. Cortor is best known for his depictions of elongated African American figures, which he used to explore themes of beauty, resilience, and cultural identity. His work was significantly influenced by his studies at the Art Institute of Chicago and his travels to the Sea Islands of South Carolina, where he immersed himself in Gullah culture. Throughout his career, Cortor's art was celebrated for its unique blend of realism and abstraction, and he played a crucial role in elevating the representation of African American subjects in the visual arts. His contributions have left a lasting impact on the narrative of American art history.