Benjamin Britt facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Benjamin Britt
Born	(1923-05-04)May 4, 1923 Winfall, North Carolina
Died	June 26, 1996(1996-06-26) (aged 73)
Nationality	American
Education	Hussian School of Art, Philadelphia College of Art, Art Students League of New York

Benjamin Franklin Britt (1923–1996) was a talented American artist. He painted in many different styles. These included realistic art, surreal art (dream-like), and abstract art (shapes and colors). He often painted about African American culture, religious themes, and children. He used oil paints and charcoals. You can spot his paintings because he signed them "B. Britt," with tiny circles instead of dots over the "i."

Early Life and Learning

Benjamin Franklin Roundtree was born on May 4, 1923. His birthplace was Winfall, North Carolina. His parents later changed their last name to Britt. They moved to Philadelphia for safety reasons.

When his family moved, Britt was about six or seven years old. In North Carolina, he was close to his grandfather. His grandfather was a Baptist minister. He read Bible verses to Britt. Some of Britt's first paintings had religious titles. Examples include “Yield Not,” “Wife of Lot,” and “Prodigal Son.”

Britt grew up in North Philadelphia. He went to Dobbins Technical High School. There he met Marjorie, who would become his wife. She was studying to be a beautician. Britt took classes in commercial art. One of his teachers was the artist Samuel Joseph Brown Jr.. Britt finished high school in 1943.

For two years, Britt served in the Coast Guard. He traveled to France and England during this time. After returning home, he continued his art studies. He went to the Hussian School of Art (1947–1950). He also studied at the Philadelphia College of Art (1951). Later, he attended the Art Students League in New York (1952–1953).

His Unique Art Style

Early in his career, Britt was a surrealist painter. A news article in 1951 called him a "surrealist painter." This was about an art show by the Guild of Allied Arts. Britt was part of a group of artists. They showed their art and answered questions.

One writer said Britt painted "intangibles." These were ideas and feelings. He called them "things which exist but cannot be handled." His use of color changed with the emotion he was showing. He used colors from simple to very bright.

Britt could not make enough money from his art alone. So, he worked other jobs. He was a machinist and a cab driver. He painted in his studio in his free time. In 1963, he owned a blueprint business. He used a front room in that building as an art gallery.

In 1963, he finally started painting full time. It took him 15 years to reach this goal. To pay his bills, he painted custom art for people. He would meet with clients to understand their tastes. He even looked at their homes to see where the painting would hang. He knew this was not the usual way to paint. But he said it was better than a job he hated. He was both practical and artistic.

Between custom paintings, Britt created art just for himself. These included surreal and abstract pieces. Some of his works also shared a social commentary message. One painting was “Soul Brothers.” It showed the heads of Black, Native American, and white people. This meant that all humans are alike inside. He often got ideas from small things. It could be a person passing by or a sound. Sometimes he worked on several paintings at once. He might get an idea for a new piece. Then he would start it on another canvas. He would come back to the first one later.

He said he was happiest when he was at his easel. He felt that painting was his life.

In 1969, Britt was asked to paint a portrait of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.. This painting was for the Joseph Pennell School in Philadelphia. Britt said he wanted to create something new. It showed King as a minister and civil rights leader. Britt's art is also in many private collections.

Awards and Art Shows

In 1960, author Cedric Dover wrote "American Negro Art." He predicted that Britt would become a very important Black artist.

Starting in the 1950s, Britt worked closely with the Wharton Centre. This was a social service group in North Philadelphia. It had a youth arts program. Britt was on their board of directors. He was also an art director and teacher there. In 1952, his painting “Red Moon” won second place. This was at a Wharton exhibit. The painting was bought by the center. In 1965, he won the first Popular Prize. This was for his painting “Yield Not” at the Wharton’s Rosenbaum Art Center.

Britt was also a member of the Les Beaux Arts club. He worked on their art committee. He won their first prize for best abstract art. This group was founded in 1933. It brought together Black artists, musicians, and writers.

He also taught art at different places. These included YMCAs and a Salvation Army branch. He also helped mentor young and older artists.

The 1950s were a great time for Britt. He won several money awards. These were from the important Atlanta University art shows. He won three times in both jury and popular vote contests. He also won in 1964. In 1951, Britt was a runner-up for the top prize. This was for his painting “Salutamos Mortamus.” In 1957, he won the top prize for best figure painting in oil. This was for “Yield Not,” chosen by a jury.

In 1958, he won the top prize by popular vote. This was for his oil painting “Pink Sand No. 2.” A photo of it was in the university’s bulletin. The NAACP’s Crisis magazine mentioned his win. In 1964, he won first prize by popular vote for his painting “Barbara.”

Winning paintings from these shows became part of Atlanta University’s collection. Britt's “Yield Not” was part of a traveling show in 1974. This show featured 50 works from the university’s collection. A photo of “Yield Not” was on the cover of the show’s bulletin. The show traveled to 10 cities.

Britt’s “Pink Sand” was shown at the Philadelphia Museum of Art in 1955.

Britt showed his art in many places. These included galleries, museums, homes, churches, and hotels. In 1965, he won second place in an outdoor art show. This was in Northeast Philadelphia. His art was also shown at Unity Day in Philadelphia. It was part of the Art and Literacy Pavilion. He also showed his work at the October Gallery’s annual Art Expos.

Britt was a regular at the Rittenhouse Square Fine Art Show. He also showed his art at the Atlantic City Show on the Boardwalk. In 1981, his work was in an exhibit. It was at the Pennsylvania Governor’s Mansion. The exhibit featured art from the Afro-American Historical and Cultural Museum. Britt’s piece was “Man with a Conscience.”

In 1969, he was one of 200 Black artists. They were featured in a big show. It was at the Philadelphia Civic Center Museum. The show was called “Afro-American Artists 1800-1969.” It included important Black artists from all over the country.

At Studio Five in New York in 1975, he painted live models. He was called “one of the most talented artists of this era.” His surreal and semi-abstract paintings were easy to understand. In 1988, he was one of four Philadelphia artists. This included Leroy Johnson. They were in an exhibit called “Directions 4.” It was at the Afro-American Historical and Cultural Museum. Britt also gave a talk there.

In 1960, his art was shown at the Pyramid Club. This was a social group for Black professional men. They held an annual art exhibit. Other artists in the 1960 show included Howard N. Watson, Reba Dickerson-Hill, and Samuel J. Brown Jr..

Later Years

In 2015, an untitled abstract painting by Britt was shown. He completed it in the 1950s. It was part of an exhibit of Black artists. This was at the Woodmere Art Museum. The exhibit was called "We Speak: Black Artists in Philadelphia, 1920s-1970s." Britt's painting is now part of the museum's collection.

In 2021, Britt's work was included in a re-creation of an exhibit. It was artist Percy Ricks’ “Afro-American Images 1971” show. This was held at the National Guard Armory in Wilmington, DE. Britt had submitted “Alpha” and “Taurus” to Ricks' original show. The 2021 show was put together by the Delaware Art Museum.

Britt passed away at his home on June 26, 1996. He died from heart failure.

Collections

• Atlanta University (Collection at Clark Atlanta University)
• Wharton Centre (Closed, records at Temple University Libraries)
• Woodmere Art Museum
• Philadelphia School District
• W. Leon and Doris Bullock Collection
• Melvin Holmes Collection of African American Art
• Free Library of Philadelphia, Print and Picture Collection

Exhibitions