“Nicodemus Visiting Jesus,” an oil painting on canvas depicting the biblical figure Nicodemus’s meeting with Jesus Christ. For the work, he won the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts’ Lippincott Prize in 1900. Also in 1899, Tanner married American singer, Jessie Olssen. The couple’s only child, Jesse, was born in 1903. Throughout much of the rest of his life, even as he shifted his focus to religious scenes, Tanner continued to receive praise and honors for his work, including being named honorary chevalier of the Order of the Legion Honor—France’s most distinguished award—in 1923. Four years later, Tanner was made a full academician of the National Academy of Design—becoming the first African-American to ever receive the distinction. Death and Legacy Henry Ossawa Tanner died at his Paris home on May 25, 1937. In the ensuing years, his name recognition dipped. However, in the late 1960s, beginning with a solo exhibition of his work at the Smithsonian, Tanner’s stature began to rise. In 1991, the Philadelphia Museum of Art assembled a touring retrospective of his paintings, setting off a new wave of interest in his life and work. (credits – Des Moines Art Center gallery guide; Biography.com) The Great Frame Up currently features originals, prints, sculptures and framed artwork of numerous African American and Iowa artists in the gallery. To see some of the prior artists featured visit www.westdesmoines.thegreatframeup.com and our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ tgfuwdmiowa. Please follow us on Pinterest www. pinterest.com/tgfuwdm and Twitter @tgfuwdm. Art | Memories | Conservation Materials | Commercial & In-Home Consultation 25% Off Custom Framing! *Offer valid until 11/15/2021 West Glen Town Center | 5515 Mills Civic Parkway #150 West Des Moines, IA 50266 | 515-226-2310 | westdesmoines.thegreatframeup.com For millions of prints - shop our online store: shopthegreatframeupart.com 11
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