The Banjo Lesson: Black History Moment

This Black History Moment is about Henry Ossawa Tanner's iconic painting, The Banjo Lesson. In 1893 on a short return visit to the United States, Tanner painted his most famous work, The Banjo Lesson, while in Philadelphia. The painting shows an elderly black man teaching a boy, assumed to be his grandson, how to play the banjo. This deceptively simple-looking work explores several important themes.
African Americans had long been stereotyped as entertainers in American culture, and the image of a black man playing the banjo appears throughout American art of the late 19th century.

[@amisstew3]

I am an elementary music teacher, and in honor of Black History Month, I have "The Banjo Lesson" as my desktop wallpaper for my students to see projected on my interactive whiteboard. We have been discussing it as an introduction to the musical contribution of Black Americans starting with the simple, yet powerful music of african slaves. Thank you for your symbolic observations of this painting. I will pass them on to my students!

[@keithbaucum7156]

The Banjo Lesson is one of the best paintings in history.

[@lilylandau1675]

This is such a beautiful video and analysis of the painting. Thank you so much!

[@jaboo1man]

I just found this painting at the goodwill and had to have it. Thank you for sharing the history of this artist.

[@artistkailadsa4706]

that moment when you are looking up Black Artist, and the commentator has the same name as you..... surreal and an honor to be well represented. Shout out to Marc DeWitt.

[@neilsingh5311]

Professor, thank you so much for this explanation. Upon learning the significance and meaning of this painting, and as a lover of the banjo, I purchased it for display on my office wall.

[@miker.9587]

Thanks for posting this! Great information about the painting and the artist. I thought the reason for the banjo was especially interesting.

[@gregoryboyle2576]

used this in my class, thank you SO MUCH!!!!!

[@YorubaBarbie]

I love this video very educational and made me emotional I’m a first generation college student taking art appreciation and this helped me a lot ..Thank you!! 💕

[@gregoryboyle2576]

it helped me as an art teacher as well! :)

[@danacazenave135]

Great commentary on a captivating painting. I , like another person in the comment section, saw this at the goodwill auction. I was very drawn to it and curious as to its history. Something you said toward the end of your video stood out to me. The part in which you explained why he preferred his title in France as opposed to the one given to him in the USA. Mostly because beyond the lights and shadows and color, I saw a man and a boy concentrating on playing that banjo. The Grandfathers right hand is fisted , telling me he wants to jump in and demonstrate. But he is resisting because he knows the boy has to learn by the sound . He's not only supporting the banjo with his left hand , but creating a capo effect so the boy is able to push the strings down for the chords. They're not thinking about colors or history or even the future. It's a pure and simple moment between the two of them with one purpose . The kind of every day moment that we all take for granted, but when we get older, we look back and cherish because those were the intimate moments we connected with our loved ones that formed a bond that created so much comfort and love. Art is so subjective and we all see things through different eyes. That was my view. Thanks for sharing yours. Dana Cazenave

[@friendlybanjoatheist5464]

Wonderful presentation. Thank you.

[@alisamcclarin8921]

I have that picture in my home.

[@davidtyson6869]

Excuse me sir there is something you need to know my name is David Tyson I am from Brooklyn New York I have never in my life seen a banjo one day in the pawn shop curiosity I picked up a banjo and begin to stroke it and before you know it I was playing that banjo professionally everyone in the pawn shop started to clap and cheer I am very confused sir how is it that I know how to play a banjo please help

[@Hassan-zw9tb]

it aint rocket science

[@alisamcclarin8921]

Am willing to part with .