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Untitled ("Umbrella") (c. 1944), lithograph on cream wove paper, by Norman Lewis. The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

For 50 many years, Norman Lewis (1909-1979) coated with a mode all their own, sufficient reason for an astounding command of shade and line.

"he had been a real Renaissance man, " their daughter, Tarin Fuller, " informed CBS Information correspondent Jim Axelrod. "He mentioned excellence and understanding exactly what that intended, and constantly shooting the ceiling."

Decades after their death, he is taking pleasure in a vital reappraisal. The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in Philadelphia features attached 1st major retrospective of their work - art that curator Ruth Fine describes as "complex and beautiful."

By CBSNews.com senior producer David Morgan

Credit: © Estate of Norman W. Lewis; Courtesy of Michael Rosenfeld Gallery LLC, New York

Norman Lewis was created in 1909 in Harlem to Caribbean immigrant moms and dads, and lived in nyc nearly all of their life, with a short span invested in Ca. Lewis said in interviews that as a kid he saw a lady painting regarding streets of Harlem, and decided then that that is what he desired to do.

He took industrial art programs in senior high school, and went to the John Reed Club Art class for a time, though he had been primarily self-trained, with countless trips on Museum of contemporary Art. "That's where he went to school, " said curator Ruth Fine. "He said he had been self-trained due to the fact instruction that mattered to him was it he gave himself."

Credit: Norman Lewis

"The Wanderer (Johnny)" (1933), oil on canvas, by Norman Lewis.

He had been energetic in Harlem's art community, in left-wing political companies, and unions. He in addition taught at Jefferson class inside 1940s.

"Baulé Mask" (1935), pastel on sandpaper, by Norman Lewis.

"Bobin (bobbin) Loom, Baulé" (1935), pastel in writing, by regular Lewis.

"Hep Cats" (1943), oil on fabric, by Norman Lewis.

"He painted non-stop, " stated Ruth Fine. "He chatted at different times about generating revenue for both their library and his art products by gambling. And his gambling included the horses, poker and pool. And apparently he was great after all three."

"that isn't the most frequent path for an excellent singer, can it be?" expected Jim Axelrod.

"Most don't talk about it, " good laughed.

"Jazz" (1943/1944), lithograph on Rives ointment wove report, by Norman Lewis.

"Shorty George" (1943), lithograph on lotion wove paper, by Norman Lewis. Pennsylvania Academy associated with Fine Arts, Philadelphia.