Louis Delsarte facts for kids

Louis Jessup Delsarte III (born September 1, 1944 – died May 2, 2020) was an African-American artist. He was famous for his unique "illusionistic" style. Delsarte was a talented painter, muralist (someone who paints large wall art), printmaker, and illustrator.

As Louis Delsarte grew up, he was surrounded by many kinds of music. This included jazz, opera, musicals, and the blues. He also learned a lot about African history and culture. These experiences greatly inspired his artwork. Delsarte taught Fine Arts at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia. For 13 years, his art was shown in exhibitions all over the United States.

Louis Delsarte's Early Life and Learning

Louis J. Delsarte III was born in Brooklyn, New York. His parents, Louis Delsarte II and Llewellyn (Johnston) Delsarte, were both teachers. Louis went to high school in the Flatbush area of Brooklyn.

He earned a certificate in Fine Arts Education from Brooklyn College. Then, he got his bachelor's degree in Fine Arts from New York's Pratt Institute. Later, he earned a master's degree in Fine Arts from the University of Arizona.

Art Shows and Special Recognition

Delsarte's art was shown in many solo and group exhibitions. These shows took place in museums and galleries across the United States. Some famous places included the Studio Museum in Harlem and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. His work was also seen at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture and the California African American Museum.

In 2001, Delsarte's art was part of a special traveling exhibition. It was called "When the Spirit Moves: African-American Dance in History and Art." The Smithsonian Institution helped sponsor this important show.

Amazing Public Artworks

In 2001, Delsarte finished a huge public mural for New York City. This amazing artwork is called "Transitions." You can find it at the Church Avenue subway station in Brooklyn.

Delsarte received more national recognition in 2005. The United States Postal Service released a stamp featuring one of his paintings! The stamp shows the historic march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama. Delsarte created this painting in 2000.

Also in 2005, he completed another large public mural. This one is called "Spirit of Harlem." It's a 30-foot by 11-foot glass mosaic. The mosaic was put together in Munich, Germany. It is located at a bank on 125th Street in New York City.

In January 2010, a 125-foot-long Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Mural by Delsarte was dedicated. This important mural is located at Peace Plaza in Atlanta, Georgia.

Many art experts have recognized Delsarte's important contributions to American art. His work is discussed in books like Samella Lewis's African American Art & Artists.

His painting "Greenwood Lake" was inspired by summers he spent at Greenwood Forest Farms. The famous writer Langston Hughes also lived there for a time. Delsarte's painting was made into a very large panel for the Greenwood Lake Mural Project. It can be seen by everyone at 673 Jersey Ave in Greenwood Lake. This project was even featured in The New York Times.

Delsarte's Unique Art Style

Delsarte's paintings often show figures (people or objects). They are known for looking complex and having many layers. He used quick brushstrokes and strong colors. Art expert Adrienne Klein noted this in an interview with the artist.

Delsarte explained that he often worked on a painting over "10 to 12 sessions." Sometimes, he would put the canvas on the floor. He would apply colors from every direction, sometimes "without even looking at the drawn image." After the paint dried, he would work on the canvas upright. This was for a phase of "disciplined drawing." Then, he might put it back on the floor for more work. He did this when the images started to look "too literal."

This way of working shows Delsarte's goal. He wanted to combine the wild, unexpected parts of art-making with careful, realistic drawing.

Klein also connected Delsarte's style to the influence of music. She said that in his paintings, the background and the figures seem to move and change together. The lively patterns in the background make your eye move. They also suggest the feeling of music all around. The figures in his art are woven into this vibrant atmosphere.

Louis Delsarte passed away on May 2, 2020.