Romare Bearden

Romare Howard Bearden was born September 2, 1911 to Richard Howard and Bessie Bearden in Charlotte North Carolina. He died in New York March 12, 1988. He was 76 years old. He died of bone cancer.



He went to DeWitt Clinton High School. He also was a baseball player in the Negro league. He began college at Lincoln University. Romare transferred to Boston University and completed his studies and New York University.



He graduated with a dgree in education. He began taking courses of art. At New York University Romare published many journal covers. After joining the Harlem artists guides Bearden left on his life long study of art, gathering inspiration from western masters.



He made art that was called collage. He would take bits and pieces of ribbon, paper and other materials and put it all together on a canvas. A lot of his art can be found in museums.

Romare was really great with his art. He just put pieces of different materials on paper and canvas and it was pretty much art. It was cool that alot of museums have them there. He liked making lang landscapes and used alot of women and children in his art.

Romare Bearden also wrote books. One of his popular books is called Lil' Dan and the drummer boy. Lil' Dan was a slave on a plantation. He loves to play his drum. When a company announces all the slaves are set free he doesn't no where to go so he follows the soilders.

In 1990, the Romare Bearden Foundation was started. The foundation has a collection of his art and books and letters. these are available to schools and public programs to make people aware of how important he was to his culture and history of art.