What is franklin watkins?

Franklin Watkins (1894-1972) was an American painter and filmmaker. He studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts and later became the first African American graduate of the Barnes Foundation. His paintings were heavily influenced by the French Impressionists and often depicted life in rural Pennsylvania. Watkins was also a filmmaker and worked on documentaries for the United States government during World War II. In addition to his art career, Watkins was an activist for civil rights and was involved in the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). He was honored with numerous awards throughout his career and his work is held in many prominent collections, including the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts.