Why was Kerry James Marshall interested in the past, especially in his painting Past Times? O To re-create all the work that Edouard Manet made during his lifetime. To offset the mainstream canon of art history's omission of Black experience. O To honor his artist friends who had never been recognized in the art world. To teach lessons on how to mix pigment as artists did in the Renaissance. To reveal the location of the oldest known artwork that has been preserved.

Kerry James Marshall's painting "Past Times" serves as a deliberate commentary on the historical oversights in art, particularly the exclusion of Black experiences and figures from the mainstream narrative. By incorporating elements of traditional European painting while infusing them with African American cultural references, Marshall aims to create a more inclusive art history that recognizes the contributions and stories often overlooked. In "Past Times," Marshall also pays tribute to the community and cultural history of Black individuals, connecting contemporary viewers with the rich legacy of African American life. The work stands as a celebration and reclamation of identity, inviting audiences to reflect on the broader implications of art and representation, thereby fostering a sense of belonging and recognition.