Midsummer Night in Harlem

Analysis

This painting by Palmer C. Hayden depicts the life in Harlem during a night in midsummer. There is a sharp contrast of white clothes, objects, and animals against all of the black people there. The white shows the black people's freedom and their purity. All others that aren't wearing black are wearing bright colors, that also show the joy of being independent. The amount of people gathered in the street and out of the windows shows the closeness of the people and also shows how the city of Harlem never rests, even in the middle of the night.

One object to point out is the stand-alone church. All of the churches in the time period were not stand-alone, they store-front churches. Hayden's choice to change this detail implies that he is trying to display the black community's independence from other communities. This simplest objects are slightly changed or exaggerated to show this effect.

Embodiment of the Harlem Renaissance

Everything in the painting is designed to look just like cities in Harlem did, expect for some objects that are exaggerated, like the church. The reason of assemblage outside of the house is also illustrated. Back then, their homes did not have air conditioners. So, they either assembled outside their house, or stuck their head out the window to cool off. This painting does a fine job displaying how everyone knew each other and how happy the black community was.