User:Elena.Lapadula/be bold

Painting Style:

While living in New York City, Tanner started to develop his distinguishing palate with shades of indigos and turquoise. His unique style, referred to as the "Tanner blues", is reflected in works like The Three Marys, Gateway, The Arch, and The Good Shepard. Tanner showed skill in being able to work within one color range while still creating depth though lighting and brushwork.

Other Works:

La Sainte-Marie

Intro:

In Both the United States and France, Tanner had African- American, European-American, and European patrons. His cross-cultural patrons and places of study is seen in his stylistic shifts primarily in genre scenes throughout his career.

Early Life:

On his mother side, Tanners grandfather was Charles Jefferson Miller, who was a mixed race son of a planter from Virginia. His father's side had white and black ancestry as well, making Tanner of mixed-race descent. At this time, those with lighter skin were classified as 'Mulatto', and were usually more successful economically and educationally than those classified as 'Black'.

The Banjo Lesson:

Tanner use of a muted palate invokes realist painters, like his teacher and mentor Thomas Eakins. He creates a peaceful scene that emphasizes modesty and family.

Life Abroad:

A thematic shift in Tanners work from panting African-American subjects to painting bible scenes occurred during a time where he was struggling with personal issues. His paintings began to be a form of spiritual guidance and represented a universal family tied together by Christ.