Earle Wilton Richardson facts for kids

Earle Wilton Richardson (1912–1935) was an important African-American artist. He is best known for his oil painting from 1934 called Employment of Negroes in Agriculture.

This famous painting shows two men and two women, along with a child. They are Black cotton workers in a Southern state. They are loading cotton into large bales. The painting is quite large, measuring 48 by 32 inches.

Like many artworks of that time, this painting was supported by the New Deal. The New Deal was a group of programs in the 1930s. It helped Americans during the Great Depression. Richardson was born and lived in New York City. He died young, just one year after finishing his famous painting.

Who Was Earle Wilton Richardson?

Earle Wilton Richardson was a talented painter. He was born in 1912 in New York City. He studied art at the National Academy of Design. This was a well-known art school.

Richardson was part of a time when many artists were creating works about American life. His art often showed the experiences of African Americans. He wanted to share their stories through his paintings.

What Was the New Deal?

The New Deal was a series of programs and projects. It was started by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. This happened during the Great Depression. The Great Depression was a time when many people lost their jobs.

The New Deal helped people find work. It also supported artists, writers, and musicians. This meant artists like Richardson could get paid for their work. They created art for public buildings. This helped share art with everyone.

Mural Projects and Collaborations

Richardson worked with another artist named Malvin Gray Johnson. They planned a series of murals called Negro Achievement. Murals are large paintings on walls.

Their goal was to show the history and future of Black people. They wanted to install these murals in the New York Public Library. Specifically, they planned for the 135th Street Branch. Sadly, neither artist lived long enough to finish this big project.

After Johnson became ill and passed away in 1934, Richardson kept working on the murals. However, Richardson also died unexpectedly the next year, in December 1935. He was only 23 years old.

Notable Artworks

Earle Wilton Richardson created several important paintings during his short life. His works often focused on portraits and scenes of everyday life. They captured moments in history.

• Profile of a Negro Girl, 1932: This painting shows a young Black girl. It highlights Richardson's skill in creating portraits.
• Benjamin Banneker, 1934: This work likely depicts Benjamin Banneker. He was a famous African-American scientist and astronomer.
• Columbus Soldiers—Estavanico, 1934: This painting might show Estevanico. He was an early African explorer in the Americas.
• Employment of Negroes in Agriculture, 1934: This is his most famous work. It shows the hard work of cotton pickers. It gives us a look into the lives of people during that time.