The Janitor Who Paints, ca 1930

"I decided to paint to support my love of art, rather than have art support me." ~ Palmer Hayden. Palmer Hayden is an African American artist whose work became famous during the Harlem Renaissance. His depictions of African American life remind me of Norman Rockwell paintings because the scenes feel strangely familiar like you know the subjects, or at least, know people who remind you of the subjects rendered in his work. Rockwell is famous for his depictions of Americana; I see Hayden's work as the black equivalent. As I look at this painting, and take notice of a man, his wife, their child, and a cat curled up at their feet, I assume that the purpose of this piece was to make others see African American life from the perspective of the the artist. Assuming that the man is the janitor for which this painting is titled, it appears that they are living well within their means, as they sit in the privacy of their small living room, while he paints on the canvas that is mounted on an easel. The genre is African American art, and the target audience would be anyone who loves and appreciates art that depicts urban life. Judging from the clock in the background, it is around 4:00, in the evening, I suppose. The stance that Hayden is taking in this painting is one that is stating, "Here is a typical, black family on a peaceful, late afternoon enjoying the simplicity of life." All of the subjects - the man, the wife, the baby, and even the cat - look very calm and content. The media used for this circa 1930 painting is oil on canvas.