The Picnic: African American Artist Archibald Motley Jr.

The artwork known as The Picnic created by passionate African American artist Archibald Motley Jr in 1936, is one of the many of his art pieces that displays African American culture in a stereotypical way. However, through his artistic creativity he is able to put a positive spin on the stereotype to give a more uplifting message. Motley is commended for his vibrant palette, through vibrant color and flowing shapes, along with his dazzling effects of the skin tones and apparel, his art is able to go beyond just being a painting alone, and embody the inner emotions and feelings of the characters. Motley’s art is aimed to capture the people’s movement, energy, and soul. Out of many African American artists, Motley was one of the most successful
artists to do this.
Archibald John Motley Junior was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on October 7, 1891, and he and his family later moved to a small city named Englewood on the South side of Chicago in 1894.
Motley received his initial art training from Englewood High School, where he graduated from in 1914. He would then continue pursuing his passion for art at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, from which he graduated there from in 1918. Motley was one of the few artists during the 1920s who consistently depicted African-Americans in a positive manner. Motley was greatly influenced by the rhythms, vibrant colors, and dissonant and melodic harmonies of jazz, which were greatly expressed through his paintings of Chicago’s streets, bars, dance halls, and outdoor gathering spots during its heyday in the 1920s and 1930s. He used these subjects in a broader and simplified abstract style, which was different from his other portraits. His forte of painting was portraiture and capturing the racial respect and pride of those particular moments. He was an extraordinary painter, because of his types of paintings that captured the different life styles of African Americans, such as life during the night, in his Nightlife piece in 1943, or a regular weekend out spending precious time with friends and family, The Picnic
1936.

The time period when The Picnic was created, had been known as the Golden Age for Artists considering the Depression of 1930s were a rich and vibrant decade for the arts. It was during this time, that the African American people and their culture were going through much suffering and criticisms for fighting for their equal rights. Archibald was able to see the world around him and how it was progressing, and was able to capture the depression and imagery and portrayed them into some of his paintings. His paintings were mostly based on symbolism and metaphoric imagery. The Picnic alone, was an ironic picture showing African Americans enjoyment of the time, although during that time it was considerably one of the most difficult and depressing times for the African American Culture. The Picnic piece by Archibald Motley Jr is not only exemplary by its unique use imagery and irony, but it is also very inspiring in the way it symbolizes the African American culture, for the particular time that it was created in.
This painting sends its audience(s) a positive message for both colored and non-colored people, of how we all seek to enjoy the best out of life and one another’s company no matter our skin tone. This message is just as important to the people of today, as it was for the people during the 1920s and 1930s. Although the overall inspiration for The Picnic was intended for African Americans enjoyment, its purpose can be just as influential to White Americans. The message of human equality, no matter what race people are is something Motley consistently had in mind when painting his art pieces. The idea of equal rights during the time of this painting was not realistic, giving the suggestion of a new way of viewing the world. The colors Archibald chose to use in The Picnic, help capture his concept of a different and more understanding worldview during that time period. The careful way he defines the shape of the individuals helps give them that soulful rhythm and energy of the African American culture. The various combination of colors makes every angle of the painting stand out to the audience. His use of bright vibrant colors suggests the positive outlook of the African American culture of a better tomorrow, while the darker shades have an
underlying sense of the depression taking place for the African Americans at the time. The colors gives a natural feeling, which takes away from its lack of being practical and realistic. The details put into each character, helps with their importance to the piece as a whole. The use of bright and vibrant colors brings out a warmer energy, which makes the picture come alive. The event taking place inside the picture portrays a fun and enjoyable time amongst friends and family which gives an admirable viewpoint for the audience. The singer in the back of the painting helps illuminate the painting’s happy and joyous vibe. Each and every character is depicted as enjoying each other’s company because their close proximity and interactions with one another inside the picture. The woman in the middle of the picture seems to be having a very close discussion/interaction with the man in the front because of the details in her eyes and body language which shows that she is fully engaged in the current conversation. The way Motley painted this piece of art gives such a powerful message of unity with lots of happiness and delight to a time that was surrounded by depression and hardships.