James Lesesne Wells

James Lesesne Wells (1902, 1993) was an African American artist and educator who became a significant figure in the Harlem Renaissance, known for his bold graphic works, woodblock prints, and paintings that drew on African art traditions and modernist aesthetics. He taught for decades at Howard University, where he profoundly influenced generations of Black artists, and his work often incorporated spiritual and African-inspired motifs with strong geometric forms and vivid color. Wells is recognized as one of the foremost printmakers of his era, with works held in major museum collections across the United States.