Aaron Douglas (1899-1979) is the leading visual artist of the Harlem Renaissance, the first African-American to explore modernism and to reflect African art in his paintings, murals, and illustrations. His work is a vivid record both of his achievement and of the distinctive imprint of the Harlem Renaissance upon American culture.

This exploration of Douglas's life and career is filled with reproductions of his art. From previously unavailable source materials, including letters to his wife, Amy Kirschke traces the struggle of this fascinating artist to advance the Harlem Renaissance and to establish its particular imprint.