A Lesson In African American History On Display At Philadelphia Museum Of Art

By Dr. Marciene Mattleman

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Families will enjoy REPRESENT; 200 Years of African American Art, a beautiful exhibit highlighting more than two centuries of work from the Philadelphia Museum of Art's permanent collection.

The acquisition by the Museum of Henry Ossawa Tanner's 1898 Annunciation was the first piece by an African American artist acquired by a major art institution. It will hold the viewer's interest seeing Mary with an angelic apparition.

Horace Pippin, despite losing use of one arm in World War I, moved back to West Chester, PA and, as a self-made painter, portrayed scenes from African American life. Look for Domino Players in the show. Becoming part of a traveling group from the Museum of Modern Art launched a national career.

Gordon Parks, renowned photographer, writer, composer and filmmaker - the first African American photographer for Life and Vogue magazines - is featured among others.

Tours for students grades 3-12 are available Tuesday and Thursday mornings and a 45-page resource for teachers and more information may be accessed at PhilaMuseum.org.