Annie E. A. Walker facts for kids

Annie E. Anderson Walker (born Annie E. Anderson) was an amazing African-American artist. She was born on October 5, 1855, and passed away on June 9, 1929. Annie was famous for her beautiful portraits and her work with pastels. She was also one of the first African-American women to get a formal art education in the United States. She even showed her art at the famous Paris Salon!

Annie Walker's Early Life and Education

Annie E. Anderson Walker was born in Flatbush, Brooklyn, on October 5, 1855. She was the youngest of five children born to Nancy Cassidy and Francis Anderson.

Annie started her career as a teacher at a young age. She taught in Jacksonville, Florida, and Orrville, Alabama. Later, she passed exams for the Selma Board of Education. This led to her becoming a teacher at the Burwell Academy in Selma, where she taught for several years. In 1875, she married Thomas Walker, a lawyer from Selma.

Facing Challenges to Study Art

In 1890, Annie moved to Washington, DC. There, she began taking private lessons in drawing and painting. After a year, she applied to the Corcoran School of Art. However, she was sadly turned away when they found out she was Black. The school told her they did not admit "colored people."

Annie knew Frederick Douglass, a very important leader who fought against slavery. He wrote a strong letter to the Corcoran School. He asked them to let Mrs. Walker in and fix this "grievous wrong." But even with his help, the school did not change its decision.

Studying at Cooper Union

Just a few months after being rejected by the Corcoran School, Annie traveled to New York City. She applied to the Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art. This school was known for not discriminating based on race or background.

Susan N. Carter, the principal of the Women's Art School at Cooper Union, shared Annie's story. She said Annie was "most ladylike" and had excellent drawings. Carter felt it was important to welcome Annie. She even gave Annie a spot in her own office because the classrooms were full. Annie studied at Cooper Union from 1892 to 1895. She learned from famous artists like Thomas Eakins and John Henry Twachtman.

When Annie graduated in 1895, Principal Carter praised her success. She noted that Annie had been a "very satisfactory scholar." Annie had also saved over $600 while studying. She planned to use this money to study art in Paris. Carter saw Annie's "energy, ability and fine character" as a great example of what her race could achieve.

Art Studies in Paris

La Parisienne, a pastel drawing from 1896. It is now at Howard University.

After graduating, Annie sailed to Paris in September 1895. She studied at the famous Académie Julian. She was likely the first African-American woman to attend this prestigious art school. A great honor came in 1896 when her work was chosen to be shown at the Paris Salon. This was a very important official art exhibition in Paris.

The artwork she showed was a pastel drawing called La Parisienne. It was a portrait of a woman. This painting is now part of the collection at Howard University. After her studies, Annie traveled to London, Switzerland, and Italy.

Return to the United States

Annie Walker returned to the United States in December 1896. She settled in Washington, D.C. She continued to paint and draw while also managing her home life. Sadly, after returning from Paris, Annie faced health challenges that made it difficult for her to continue painting. She remained home until her death in 1929 in Washington, D.C.

Even though Annie's art career was cut short, she was remembered for her beautiful pastels. These were even compared to the works of Alice Pike Barney. Art historian Tritobia Hayes Benjamin praised Annie's "tireless courage, determination, and persistence" in becoming an artist despite facing racism and sexism. Annie Walker passed away on June 9, 1929, at the age of 73. She was buried in Harmony Cemetery in Washington DC.

Exhibitions

• 1896 Annual Paris Salon, Paris France

Images for kids

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  Watercolor of a man in 16th Century dress by Annie E. Anderson Walker