Maximizing Your Investment: Highwaymen Art Value Insights – Pt. 1
**Part 1 of 4 parts**
Key Highlights
- Highwaymen art began in Florida in the mid-20th century. It captures the state’s natural beauty with bright colors.
- A group of 26 African American artists started this movement. They sold their art from their cars because of racism.
- Now, collectors really want paintings from famous Highwaymen artists like Alfred Hair, Harold Newton, and Mary Ann Carroll.
- Real Highwaymen paintings keep increasing in value. This makes them good investments in the art market.
- The legacy of Highwaymen art continues through shows, educational support, and new artists inspired by this unique style.
Introduction
Highwaymen art is a unique style that captures the wild beauty of Florida. It started in the middle of the 20th century by a group known as the Florida Highwaymen. This group included 26 African American artists who experienced challenges due to racial segregation. They discovered a clever way to sell their art. They created vibrant landscapes and sold their paintings straight from their cars along Florida’s highways. This inventive approach to making and selling art made them a key part of American art history.
The Historical Significance of Highwaymen Art
The Highwaymen art movement started when Jim Crow laws were put in place. These laws pushed against segregation. The artists could not display their work in normal galleries due to their race. But they found new ways to share their art. They had a great eye for the beauty they saw around them. They captured beautiful scenes of Florida, like calm beaches, tall palm trees, bright sunsets, and colorful flowers.
Their paintings are nice and meaningful. They show what Florida looked like before it changed due to development. They help us remember how strong people were during tough times.
The Origins and Rise of the Highwaymen Artists
The Florida Highwaymen’s story began in Fort Pierce, Florida, in the 1950s. A white artist named A.E. “Bean” Backus saw the talent and dreams in young Black artists. He decided to help them learn to paint landscapes. Under his guidance, they created a group called the original Florida Highwaymen. They learned from Backus but also made their own unique styles.
Because of segregation, these artists had to get creative to sell their art. They painted often and quickly. They created simple and affordable landscape paintings using basic materials, like upson board. They sold their art from the backs of their cars along Florida’s highways. This way, they could reach both tourists and locals who wanted to bring a piece of Florida’s beauty home.
The Florida Highwaymen had talent, smart business skills, and a strong will. This combination made them stand out in American folk art. Their story shows us how to handle challenges, stay creative during tough times, and create art that connects with many people.
Cultural Impact on the Florida Art Scene
Highwaymen art shows more than just Florida’s natural beauty. It is a key part of the culture in the state. The artists used bright colors to create lovely pictures of Florida’s landscapes. Their art has reached many people and helped form a style known around the world.
In 2004, these artists were welcomed into the Florida Artists Hall of Fame. This honor showed how important they are to culture. It made their art and stories stand out more. As a result, they received national attention and praise.
You can see how the Highwaymen impact artists today. Lots of artists use bright colors. They show Florida’s natural beauty in their work. Their art proves how strong creativity can be. It helps break social barriers and share important cultural stories.
Recognition and Revival in Contemporary Times
The Florida Highwaymen created well-known Florida Highwaymen paintings in the 1950s and 1960s. Their paintings became popular once more later on. Collectors recognized how special and valuable these pieces are. This drove them to look for Florida Highwaymen art. As a result, the value of their artwork grew significantly.
This new interest looks at many lesser-known Florida Highwaymen artists. It shows how significant this movement is. Art experts and critics are now paying more attention to their work. They link it to the broader story of American art history.
Today, you can see Highwaymen art in big museums, galleries, and private collections. The artists, who used to be overlooked, are now recognized and valued. Their stories inspire others to appreciate creativity and hard work. The lasting charm of Highwaymen art is found in its beauty and the interesting stories it tells.
Key Elements That Define Highwaymen Art
Highwaymen art includes different styles, but it has special features that make it easy to recognize. The paintings often have bright colors and strong designs. They bring a feeling of magic and peace. People appreciate the lovely pictures of Florida’s nature that are displayed in these artworks.
Artists often picked affordable and easy-to-find upson board with simple frames. This decision helped them save both money and time. The real value of highwaymen art comes from the artists’ talented painting skills. They can show the unique plants and animals of Florida in a special manner.
Distinctive Themes and Subjects
The main idea in each Highwaymen painting is a strong love for Florida’s natural beauty. These artists show the state’s wild landscapes in a beautiful way. They want people to enjoy the amazing views of the Sunshine State.
Some common themes in Highwaymen paintings are:
- The beautiful royal poinciana trees blossom nicely at sunset.
- Calm rivers flow softly, making light and shadow.
- Pretty beaches have waves crashing, and palm trees move in the wind.
- The bright views of the Everglades are filled with mystery and amazement.
These beautiful subjects make people feel special and cared for. They also help viewers feel relaxed and ignite their interest in nature.
Techniques and Materials Used
Highwaymen art is well-known for using oil painting on upson board. This material is easy to get and is not costly. Because of this, artists can create their work quickly and please more clients.
Highwaymen artists used a fast-drying technique for their bright colors. They started with white paint as a base and quickly added other colors on top of it. This method made the colors look bright and lively. The artists also used unique brush strokes. This gave their artwork a special feel and texture.
The Upson board and quick-drying methods let many artists create paintings. But the original oil paintings by the Highwaymen are now very valuable. Collectors love these pieces for their history, connection to a specific time and place, and their beauty.
Identifying a Genuine Highwaymen Painting
As highwaymen art becomes more popular, it’s important to recognize an original highwaymen painting. A key way to do this is by looking at the signature. You should learn the signatures of various highwaymen painters. This can help you spot some of the fake paintings that are out there.
Look at the artwork carefully. A real highwaymen painting, especially from its best days, will have some signs of aging. A few small cracks in the paint can actually make it more attractive. However, if there are a lot of cracks or if the paint is peeling, that may be a sign to be careful.
If the older Highwaymen art looks nice, it might be new. Look at the materials used in the artwork. Original Highwaymen paintings were usually created on upson board. If you’re not sure, it’s smart to ask a trusted expert to find out if the piece is real.
Conclusion
Highwaymen art is more than just a collection of beautiful Florida landscapes—it is a testament to resilience, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit. These self-taught African American artists overcame barriers to create an art movement that continues to inspire collectors, historians, and art enthusiasts alike. Their paintings not only capture the natural beauty of Florida but also hold significant cultural and historical value.
As demand for authentic Highwaymen art grows, understanding its origins, techniques, and distinguishing features becomes even more essential for collectors and investors.
This concludes Part 1 of our 4-part series on Highwaymen Art Value Insights. Stay tuned for Part 2, where we will explore how to evaluate the value of Highwaymen paintings and what factors influence their market price. Coming soon!
