ABSTRACT
In France, Tanner found acceptance, freedom, recognition, reward, and a comfortable lifestyle far away from the complexities of race in America. He also enjoyed spending time at his a retreat in Etaples where life seemed idyllic. The years leading up to World War I were extremely happy ones for the Tanners, as they seemed integrated fully into French life. It is clear that Tanner occupied a central and much-respected place among his peers. Tanner returned to the United States in January 1913 to make final preparations for a major solo exhibition at Thurber Art Galleries in Chicago. When the show opened in February, it featured many of his new paintings from his excursion to North Africa as well as a few intimate impressions of his beloved Trépied and several biblical works. Tanner next took his paintings to the Milwaukee Art Gallery where they remained March 6 to 16.
