About Alma Thomas
Became a full-time painter at sixty-nine, had her first major show at eighty, and produced museum-quality work for seventeen years on pure colour and conviction.
Where to see Alma Thomas
Collection holdings are reported here; current display varies. Check with each museum before visiting.
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29 recorded works
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Washington D.C., United States
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1 recorded workArt Institute of Chicago
Chicago, United States
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4 recorded works
National Gallery of Art
Washington D.C., United States
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3 recorded works
Corcoran Gallery of Art
Washington D.C., United States
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1 recorded work
Whitney Museum of American Art
New York City, United States
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1 recorded work
The Phillips Collection
Washington D.C., United States
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1 recorded work
Metropolitan Museum of Art
New York City, United States
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1 recorded work
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
Bentonville, United States
Frequently Asked Questions
Was Alma Thomas black?
Alma Thomas was African-American; she was the first African-American woman to have a solo exhibition at the Whitney Museum.Why did Alma Thomas became an artist?
Alma Thomas became a full-time painter when she retired from teaching at sixty-nine, though she had painted throughout her life and studied art at Howard University and Columbia. Her career as an artist took off later in life, with her first major solo exhibition at eighty.When did Alma Thomas retire from teaching?
Thomas retired from teaching at sixty-nine.What is Alma Thomas best known for?
Alma Thomas is identified with Colour Field painters.When did Alma Thomas start painting?
Alma Thomas painted all her life, but she became a full-time painter upon her retirement from teaching.How did Alma Thomas paint?
Alma Thomas's vividly coloured work corresponds with Colour Field paintings in conveying and invoking emotion through colour and shape.What is Alma Thomas famous for?
Alma Thomas is identified with Colour Field painters.
Sources
Where to See guide aggregates verified holdings of Alma Thomas's works across the following collections.
- [1] museum Whitney Museum of American Art Used for: museum holdings.
- [2] museum National Gallery of Art Used for: museum holdings.
- [3] museum Art Institute of Chicago Used for: museum holdings.
- [4] museum The Phillips Collection Used for: museum holdings.
- [5] museum Metropolitan Museum of Art Used for: museum holdings.
- [6] museum Smithsonian American Art Museum Used for: museum holdings.
- [7] book Charlotte Mullins, A Little History of Art Used for: biography.
- [8] book Fred S. Kleiner, Helen Gardner, Kleiner & Mamiya, Gardner's Art through the Ages, Western Perspective, 16th edition, Vol. 2, Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, Used for: biography.
- [9] book Hodge, Susie, 1960- author, The short story of women artists : a pocket guide to movements, works, breakthroughs, & themes Used for: biography.
Editorial overseen by Solis Prints. Sources verified 2026-09-30. Click a source for details, or hover over [N] in the page above to preview.
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