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Archibald Motley Most Popular Paintings

The 4 artworks by Archibald Motley our visitors ask for most, ranked by popularity and presented one by one, with the specification and the price of each hand-painted reproduction.

Edition 2026 · 4 artworks Each artwork painted to order
Linen canvas · Certificate of authenticity · Delivered worldwide Archibald Motley · 1891 – 1981

Cocktails

1926 · Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

Explore Archibald John Motley Jr.’s vibrant depiction of Chicago’s Black community in "Cocktails." This iconic oil painting captures the energy and camaraderie of a speakeasy scene, reflecting the New Negro Movement.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 1 of 12 artworks by Archibald Motley
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17535 × 28 cm Commission this artwork

Costume design for Mistress Quickley

1955 · Royal Shakespeare Company, Stratford-upon-Avon · original 32 x 45 cm

Experience Archibald Motley Jr.'s vibrant 'Costume Design for Mistress Quickley,' a captivating watercolor depicting a dazzling Shakespearean character from the Harlem Renaissance.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 2 of 12 artworks by Archibald Motley
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17525 × 40 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$18832 × 45 cm Commission at original size

Hot Rhythm

1961 · Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University, Durham · original 101 x 122 cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 3 of 12 artworks by Archibald Motley
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17535 × 29 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$507122 × 101 cm Commission at original size

Portrait of My Grandmother

1922 · original 111 x 75 cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 4 of 12 artworks by Archibald Motley
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17525 × 40 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$39075 × 111 cm Commission at original size

The artist

Archibald Motley

1891 – 1981

Quick facts

NationalityUnited States
Emotional tonereflective
Born1891, New Orleans, United States
Typical colorsphthalo green
Died1981
Lifespan90 years
Art periodModern

Biography

Archibald John Motley Jr.: A Life in Color

Early Life and Education

Born October 7, 1891, in New Orleans, Louisiana, Archibald John Motley Jr. was a pivotal figure in American art.
His family relocated to Chicago in 1894, where his father worked as a Pullman car porter. This move profoundly shaped Motley’s life and artistic perspective.
Motley attended the School of the Art Institute of Chicago during the 1910s, graduating in 1918. He received classical training but soon developed a unique modernist style.
Early experiences, including accompanying his father on railroad journeys and witnessing racial prejudice firsthand, deeply influenced his artistic vision.

Artistic Development and Influences

Motley’s work was significantly impacted by the New Negro Movement, a cultural flowering of African American art and intellectual thought.
He drew inspiration from artists like W.E.B. Du Bois and Alain Locke, who championed Black representation in the arts.
His style evolved from academic realism to a vibrant, modernist approach characterized by bold colors and dynamic compositions.
Motley’s exploration of skin tone and his nuanced portrayal of African American life set him apart from many contemporaries.

Themes and Style

Motley is renowned for his colorful chronicling of the African American experience in Chicago during the 1920s and 1930s.
His paintings often depicted jazz culture, social gatherings, and everyday life within the Black community.
He explored themes of race, identity, class, and cultural pride with both sensitivity and critical insight.
Motley’s use of color was deliberate and expressive, reflecting the vibrancy and complexity of his subjects.

Major Achievements and Recognition

He gained recognition early in his career, participating in exhibitions at the Art Institute of Chicago and receiving a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1926.
His solo exhibition at the New Gallery in New York City in 1928 was a significant milestone for an African American artist during that era.
Motley received the Harmon Foundation gold medal in fine arts in 1928 for his painting The Octoroon Girl.
He continued to exhibit and create art throughout his life, leaving behind a rich legacy of paintings and drawings.

Historical Significance

Archibald Motley Jr. is considered one of the major contributors to both the Harlem Renaissance and the Chicago Black Renaissance.
His work challenged prevailing stereotypes and offered a positive, multifaceted portrayal of African American life.
He paved the way for future generations of Black artists and helped to broaden the scope of American art history.
Motley’s paintings provide valuable insights into the social, cultural, and political landscape of the early 20th century.
Died January 16, 1981, in Chicago, Illinois, leaving behind a lasting impact on the world of art.

Questions & Answers

Where is Archibald Motley from?

Archibald Motley was born in United States.

Is there a timeline of Archibald Motley's works?

The artist's Artwork Timeline page presents Archibald Motley's works ordered by date, year by year.

Where can I see all artworks by Archibald Motley?

Every work by Archibald Motley on this website can be browsed from the artist's All Artworks page.

By the ArtsDot.com Editorial Team Updated Sept. 1, 2026

Collector's quiz

Archibald Motley Jr. is most celebrated for his depictions of what subject matter?
Motley's work is strongly associated with which cultural and artistic movement?
What was a recurring theme explored in Motley's art, stemming from his own background?
Motley initially studied what discipline before pursuing painting at the Art Institute of Chicago?
The 'Chicago Black Renaissance' is best understood as a regional expression of what larger movement?

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