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This article will examine some of the amazing African American paintings that have been featured on the Empire TV show. The masterpieces of numerous famous black artists have appeared on Fox’s hip-hop drama along with some amazing pieces by artists that are not black.
African American artwork became popular during the Harlem Renaissance. Many famous black painters were encouraged to celebrate their heritage by using their creativity.
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| Empire Fox Art |
The work of famous black painters like Mickalene Thomas and Kehinde Wiley give viewers yet another reason to love Empire! Along with the amazing pieces by famous black artists we will provide artwork by painters who are not black along with some historical pieces that have appeared on the show.
Kehinde Wiley
Kehinde Wiley is a famous hip-hop portrait artist known for his amazing pieces that typically feature blacks in heroic poses. His “Prince Albert, Prince Consort of Queen Victoria” painting hangs on Lucious’ dining room wall. Wiley’s “Le Roi a La Chasse” “Naomi and Her Daughters” “Princess Victoire of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha” and “Officer of the Hussars” pieces are also featured on the show.
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| Kehinde Wiley Empire Prince Albert Prince Consort of Queen Victoria |
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| Kehinde Wiley Empire Le Roi a La Chasse |
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| Kehinde Wiley Empire Naomi and Her Daughters |
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| Kehinde Wiley Empire Princess Victoire of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha |
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| Kehinde Wiley Empire Officer of the Hussars |
Ponti Lambros
Ponti Lambros, of Art Rebel, delivered the following paintings that many have credited as Jean-Michel Basquiat pieces. The amazing painter has sold pieces to numerous celebrities including Sean Penn and Paris Hilton.
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| Ponti Lambros Empire Citadel |
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| Ponti Lambros Empire Kingdom |
Lobyn Hamilton
Lobyn Hamilton is a talented artist who used vinyl records in his amazing masterpieces. His “Final Art” piece is featured on Empire.
Lobyn Hamilton is a talented artist who used vinyl records in his amazing masterpieces. His “Final Art” piece is featured on Empire.
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| Lobyn Hamilton Empire Final Art |
Jamea Richmond-Edwards
Jamea Richmond-Edwards is an amazing artist with a repertoire of beautiful ink and graphite portraits. Her “Wings Not Meant to Fly” piece was featured on the Empire TV show.
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| Jamean Richmond-Edwards Empire Wings Not Meant to Fly |
Mickalene Thomas
Mickalene Thomas is a contemporary African American artist that creates beautiful paintings that often feature rhinestones, acrylic and enamel. Thomas’ ‘Le Déjeuner Sur L’Herbe: Trois Noir Femmes’ piece was featured on Empire’s first episode.
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| Mickalene Thomas Empire Le Dejeuner Sur L’Herbe: Trois Noir Femmes |
Michael Savoie
Michael Savoie is a very talented photographer and painter. Savoie’s amazing piece, “Natural” appears on the Empire TV show.
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| Michael Savoie Empire Natural |
Toyin Odutola
Toyin Odutola is a Nigerian-born contemporary artist that is very talented. Her “Hold It In Your Mouth A Little Longer” piece appeared on Empire.
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| Toyin Odutola Empire Hold It In Your Mouth A Little Longer |
Claude Monet
Claude Monet was a French painter whose work introduced the Impressionist movement. His “House of Parliament” piece appears on Empire.
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| Claude Monet Empire House of Parliament |
Ebony G. Patterson
Ebony G. Patterson is an amazing artist that was born in Jamaica. She creates wonderful artwork that focuses on sexuality and identity. One of Patterson’s best pieces, “Untitled VI” hangs in Jamal Lyon’s kitchen.
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| Ebony Patterson Empire Untitled VI |
Sylvia Maier
Sylvia Maier is a recipient of the Greenshield Award and numerous merit scholarships. “Peter” from her “Currency” collection was featured on Empire.
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| Sylvia Maier Empire Peter |
Barkley L. Hendricks
Barkley L. Hendricks is an amazing painting responsible for pioneering contributions to black portraiture and conceptualism. His “Lawdy Mama” piece appears on the Empire TV show.
Barkley L. Hendricks is an amazing painting responsible for pioneering contributions to black portraiture and conceptualism. His “Lawdy Mama” piece appears on the Empire TV show.
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| Barkley L. Hendricks Empire Lawdy Mama |
Vincent van Gogh
Vincent van Gogh is considered one of the greatest Dutch painters of all time. His “Skull With A Burning Cigarette” piece was featured on Empire.
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| Vincent van Gogh Empire Skull With A Burning Cigarette |
Georges Seurat
Georges Seurat was a French painter known as the pioneer of Pointillism. His “Can-Can (La Chahut)” painting appeared on the first season of Empire.
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| Georges Seurat Empire Can-Can La Chahut |
Gustav Klimt
Gustav Klimt was an Australian artist known as a prominent member of the Vienna Secession movement. Klimt’s “Medicine (Hygieia)” painting is hanging on Lucious’ wall in the show’s first season and Cookie calls it ugly.
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| Gustav Klimt Empire Medicine Hygieia |
Which painting is your favorite? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!