The Harlem Renaissance period encompassed the early 1920s through the 1930s.

Webster's II defines renaissance as: "To be born again, a revival, a rebirth. A period of revived artistic or intellectual achievement or enthusiasm."

After World War I, blacks felt that the old ways were gone forever. The black soldiers that fought in the war felt a wave of opportunity for themselves, their families, their friends, and black people in general. This major change of attitude contributed to African-Americans' general feeling that, despite difficulties, they were not helpless, and that they were moving ahead.

The Harlem Renaissance was an expansion of African-American social thought and growth that was expressed through music, literature, theater, dance, and the visual arts. Centered in the Harlem District of New York City, the movement had a profound influence across the United States and even around the world. The intellectual and artistic freedom of the era attracted many African-Americans from the rural south to the North and especially to New York City.

Although this creative period has been primarily associated with Harlem and in fact is referred to as the "Harlem Renaissance Period," the term is somewhat of a misnomer. The same creativity went on in Philadelphia, Chicago, Boston, Baltimore, and San Francisco.

Make no mistake about it, though. There were very accomplished and prolific African-American artist prior to this period. However, just as the word suggests, this period represented a rebirth, a revival and most of all, an opportunity. This period more then any other is credited with the emergence of Black art and Black artists.

Some of the more notable artists at the core of the movement—but by no means all of them—include, Ellis Wilson, William Johnson, Lois Mailou Jones, Sargent Claude Johnson, Hale Woodruff, Aaron Douglas and Palmer Hayden. Other notables that were influenced by the movement include Jacob Lawrence, Romare Bearden, Eldzier Cortor, Archibald Motley, Jr., Charles White, Elizabeth Catlett and John Biggers, and so many more. Their contributions to and influence on modern contemporary art and artist is obvious.