Richmond Barthe

Art Brokerage: Richmond Barthe American Artist: b. 1901-1989. James Richmond Barthé, also known as Richmond Barthé was an African-American sculptor associated with the Harlem Renaissance. Richmond Barthé was known for his sculpted portrayal of black figures. Rejected from New Orleans Art School because of his race, Barthé trained at the Art Institute of Chicago where one of his teachers suggested he switch from painting to sculpting. The gamble paid off: Barthé had a knack for rendering images in clay and expressive sculptures earned him success in the 1930s and '40s. His work depicted men in their natural form and were imbued with a sense of intensity and sensuality that attracted European patrons and members of the press. The stress of city living led him to move to Jamaica and eventually other areas in the Caribbean from 1947 until 1969. Barthé designed many of the coins that are still in circulation in Haiti today. Listings wanted.