Palmer Hayden

Palmer Hayden
Judging a scene he is painting (early 1930s).
Born	Peyton Cole Hedgeman (1890-01-15)January 15, 1890 Widewater,Virginia
Died	February 18, 1973(1973-02-18) (aged 83)
Nationality	African-American
Known for	Painting
Notable work	The Janitor Who Paints, Fetiche et Fleurs, and His Hammer in His Hand
Movement	Harlem Renaissance

Palmer C. Hayden (January 15, 1890 – February 18, 1973) was an American painter who depicted African-American life, landscapes, seascapes, and African influences. He sketched, painted in both oils and watercolors, and was a prolific artist of his era.

Born Peyton Cole Hedgeman on January 15, 1890, in Widewater, Virginia, Palmer C. Hayden drew during his childhood, and was introduced into the arts by his older brother who drew as well. (Speculations regarding how many other siblings he had exist, but cannot be proved.) Despite his early interest in art, Hayden's initial ambition was to become a fiddle player, but several obstacles prevented this, two of which were his demure nature and the financial hardships of his family. In reflection years into his seniority, Hayden stated he still continued to regret not following his initial ambition, unwavered by his success as an artist. This conflict is reflected at times in his art; in particular, Midnight at the Crossroads is a personal painting that depicts the decision he was forced to make. Interestingly, the explicit tilt of his feet and face in the direction of the musician's path, yet his ultimate descent down the path of the artist signifies just how powerful of a conflict this was for Hayden.

As an adolescent, Hayden relocated to Washington, D.C. in order to find work, where he became a porter and an errand boy. The subject of his sketches shifted to objects and activities he witnessed daily, such as sailboats and fishermen. It was in Washington, D.C. where Hayden ultimately began to pursue an art career, and where he first encountered an experience with explicit racism. Hayden had placed an ad in the local paper for an artist’s assistant, and was bewildered when he was rejected for being African-American upon arriving at the interview. Discouraged, Hayden decided to go into employment as a laborer for the Buffalo Bill Circus and then the Ringling Brothers Circus. He bounced from occupation to occupation with little commitment, then decided to enter the army's black company stationed in the Philippines. Hayden in the army.