Jacob Lawrence was an American artist celebrated for his vivid, narrative-driven works that chronicled the African-American experience. Lawrence's distinctive style and focus on themes of resilience, migration and social justice made him one of the most influential artists of his time.
Born in Atlantic City, New Jersey in 1917, Lawrence moved with his family to Harlem during the height of the Harlem Renaissance. Immersed in the vibrant cultural milieu of the era, he studied at the Harlem Art Workshop under Charles Alston and later at the American Artists School. Lawrence was inspired by the community's artists, writers and activists, which profoundly shaped his commitment to portraying Black life and history in his art.
Lawrence’s paintings are characterised by a flat, brightly coloured palette and dynamic, geometric compositions. His narrative series, often numbering dozens of panels, were a hallmark of his practice. The Migration Series (1940–41), his most celebrated work, depicts the mass movement of African Americans from the rural South to the urban North in search of opportunity. Comprised of 60 tempera-on-board panels, the series combines modernist abstraction with a deeply personal and historical narrative.
Other significant series include The Life of Toussaint L’Ouverture (1936–38), The Life of Harriet Tubman (1939) and The Struggle: From the History of the American People (1954–56). Through these works, Lawrence offered a comprehensive visual history of African-American perseverance and contributions to broader American society.
Throughout his career, Lawrence exhibited widely, becoming the first Black artist represented by a major New York gallery, Edith Halpert’s Downtown Gallery, in 1941. His works are housed in prestigious institutions, including the Museum of Modern Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Phillips Collection, which co-owns The Migration Series with MoMA.
In addition to his artistic achievements, Lawrence was a dedicated educator, teaching at various institutions, most notably the University of Washington in Seattle. His contributions earned him numerous honours, including the National Medal of Arts in 1990. Lawrence died in 2000.