Rago Auctions

Born in Philadelphia in 1905, Humbert Howard has come to occupy an important place within the canon of contemporary African American art. Best known for his time serving as the Art Director of the Pyramid Club, his integrationist approach to art helped to break down racial boundaries that hindered black artists in the mid-20th Century.

Howard received his initial education from Howard University and the University of Pennsylvania before joining the leagues of other artists contributing to the WPA in the 1930s. The years spent in the program provided Howard with valuable experience but by 1940, his focus became the push for equality in American art.

Howard took on the role of Art Director for the Pyramid Club, a highly respected and popular African American social club in Philadelphia. In his new capacity, he began to select works by both black and white artists to be shown side-by-side at the club’s exhibitions in Philadelphia and New York. He continued in his role until 1958, when he decided to step away due to internal politics and to return instead to his own artistic career.

He enrolled in classes at the Barnes Foundation where his interest in abstraction was ignited and his compositions saw an increase in exaggeration and distortion of forms. He continued to gain a loyal following of collectors and dealers until his retirement in 1971. His involvement in nurturing art continued though, and he spent his time mentoring young members of the local art scene and hosting meetings for the local chapter of the National Conference of Black Artists.

Howard’s works were featured in the important 1967 exhibition The Evolution of Afro-American Artists held at the City College of New York and today, can be found in important collections throughout the Philadelphia area including the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Woodmere Art Museum and the Delaware Museum of Art.