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Parrot

William N. Buckner

Painted by William N. Buckner, Jr. (1888-1984) at just twenty-one, this colorful parrot exemplifies his skill and eye for detail. In oil paints and oil pastels, he illuminates the bird’s feathers and crest, as well as the many crooks of its perch, a leafy branch. Buckner, who was African American, developed a passion for art at the city’s renowned M Street High School, where he excelled at woodworking. After graduating in 1907, he completed Miner Normal School’s teacher training program. He earned additional degrees from Howard and Columbia universities and served as an educator for forty-seven years, both within the District’s public schools and at Howard. Throughout his career, he remained a practicing artist and actively engaged in the city’s art community. As president of the Society of the Friends of Art, for example, he spoke at the Twelfth Street YMCA’s ceremony celebrating its renovation in 1934, at which James A. Porter, who chaired Howard University’s Art Department, presented his painting, Tribute to YMCA (2003.0019.0008), in honor of the branch’s commitment to community service.

Date

1909

Type

painting

Medium

Oil paint and oil pastel on paper

Department

ACM

Institution

Anacostia Community Museum

Object number

acm_2011.1008.0007