JACOB LAWRENCEJACOB LAWRENCEGroup SixGroup Six

Jacob LawrenceJacob Lawrence

►Born in Atlantic City, New Jersey in Born in Atlantic City, New Jersey in 1917.1917.

►Considered himself both an artist and Considered himself both an artist and an educator through his works that an educator through his works that partially defined what has become partially defined what has become known as the Harlem Renaissance.known as the Harlem Renaissance.

►He is one of the leading American He is one of the leading American figurative artists, and the first to figurative artists, and the first to document African American history in document African American history in widely-viewed, influential works of art.widely-viewed, influential works of art.

Jacob LawrenceJacob Lawrence

► He was originally inspired in 1924 when he He was originally inspired in 1924 when he moved to Harlem with his family. He found moved to Harlem with his family. He found himself immersed in a vibrant, intellectual black himself immersed in a vibrant, intellectual black culture. culture.

► At the age of 21, in 1937, he garnered fame for At the age of 21, in 1937, he garnered fame for his “Toussant L'Ouverture Series”, which was his “Toussant L'Ouverture Series”, which was composed of 41 separate works that depicted a composed of 41 separate works that depicted a successful Haitian slave rebellion through the successful Haitian slave rebellion through the life of L’Ouverture.life of L’Ouverture.

► At the age of 24, he became the first African At the age of 24, he became the first African American artist to have a permanent collection American artist to have a permanent collection in the New York Museum of Modern Art. in the New York Museum of Modern Art.

““Toussant L'Ouverture”Toussant L'Ouverture”

Tubman & Douglass Tubman & Douglass ChroniclesChronicles

► In addition to his L'Ouverture In addition to his L'Ouverture chronicles, he documented the life of chronicles, he documented the life of Harriet Tubman through her endeavors Harriet Tubman through her endeavors along the underground railroad.along the underground railroad.

►Frederick Douglass was also depicted Frederick Douglass was also depicted in a series dedicated to his efforts for in a series dedicated to his efforts for African American rights.African American rights.

Harriet Tubman & Frederick Harriet Tubman & Frederick DouglassDouglass

Influences & TechniqueInfluences & Technique

► Lawrence’s art has been linked to cubism, and Lawrence’s art has been linked to cubism, and is considered social realistic—he portrays is considered social realistic—he portrays narratives through the use of compilations of narratives through the use of compilations of pieces that make up a storyline. pieces that make up a storyline.

► Lawrence’s influences are many, including Lawrence’s influences are many, including Breughel, Daumier, William Edmonson, Giotto, Breughel, Daumier, William Edmonson, Giotto, Goya, William Gropper, George Grosz, Diego Goya, William Gropper, George Grosz, Diego Rivera, and David Siqueiros.Rivera, and David Siqueiros.

► These artists have all used their respective These artists have all used their respective works to channel and document human works to channel and document human emotion through historical and cultural emotion through historical and cultural references.references.

Various WorksVarious Works

Various WorksVarious Works

Various WorksVarious Works

Later LifeLater Life

► Lawrence continued to paint through his later Lawrence continued to paint through his later years, completing new compilation narratives years, completing new compilation narratives like “The Migration of the Negro”, and “The like “The Migration of the Negro”, and “The Life of John Brown”. Life of John Brown”.

► He grew to be the most mainstream, critically-He grew to be the most mainstream, critically-acclaimed African American artist of the 20acclaimed African American artist of the 20thth century, known for his minimalist color usage, century, known for his minimalist color usage, and his imaginative angling and perspectives and his imaginative angling and perspectives often coupled with intense human emotion. often coupled with intense human emotion.

► Jacob Lawrence painted his entire life until he Jacob Lawrence painted his entire life until he died in 2000.died in 2000.

““Play”, 1999Play”, 1999

WORKS CITEDWORKS CITED

►http://www.cs.washington.edu/buildinghttp://www.cs.washington.edu/building/art/JacobLawrence//art/JacobLawrence/

►http://www.a-r-t.com/lawrence/Louverthttp://www.a-r-t.com/lawrence/LouvertureWeb/index.htm#imagesureWeb/index.htm#images

►http://raggedclothcafe.com/http://raggedclothcafe.com/2007/05/09/jacob-lawrence-by-jane-2007/05/09/jacob-lawrence-by-jane-davila/davila/