Artist Report
Download this form to your computer and fill in the answers.
Note: No credit will be given if you do not use this form and format.
Objective: Investigate the artist whose work inspires you to replicate his/her style.
Personal life
Name of Artist: Jacob Lawrence
Birth Date: September 7, 1917
Birth Place: Atlantic City, New Jersey
What later life events (marriage, children, deaths, etc.) had a major influence on the
artist? (Your response should be a minimum of 100 words and complete sentences.)
Jacob Lawrence was drafted to serve on the troopship, of an all-black regiment, upon the
USS Sea Cloud. This influenced him in many of his paintings. All of which were lost
during World War II. He continued his war painting upon returning from the war. This is
the composition of his famous War Series.
In 1949, Jacob Lawrence admitted himself into a mental hospital in Queens, NY. He
struggled with depression after the war, but continued painting. He produced artwork
during this time that reflected his emotional state. Painting mostly melancholy figures
and bland colors.
He later married Gwendolyn Knight, a sculptor and painter. She was very supportive of
Jacob Lawrence’s art and often assisted him in preparing his works. The two were
married until his death in 2000.
Time Period
Describe what prevailing style of art was popular when the artist first started? (Your
description should be at least three complete sentences in length.)
The Harlem Renaissance was a cultural movement that was prevailing during the 1920’s
and 1930’s. It was known as the New Negro Movement at the time. It depicts racial pride
and a new black identity through art, literature and music. There was no real know source
in which this style emerged from.
What ‘new’ style did the artist start, or get involved in?
Jacob Lawrence referred to his style as Dynamic cubism (The Migration Series (1941)
and War Series) and was involved in Expressionism and Social Realism.
What important historical events happened during the artist’s lifetime that influenced one
or more pieces? (Your response should be a minimum of 100 words and complete
sentences.)
The Migration of African Americans from the South to the North after WWI. This
influence Jacob Lawrence’s first series of 60 paintings called The Migration Series.
Lawrence conceived the series as a single work and painted them at the same time in an
attempt to unify them as a setting, rather than a series of events.
The Harlem Movement was an explosion of intellectual, social, and artistic works
centered in New York of the cultural expression that was affected by the Great Migration.
WWII Lawrence was drafted into the United States Coast Guard. Lawrence was formally
appointed as a Combat Artist. The first African American to serve under that title. After
battling, African American soldiers returned faced with the existing prejudice and “Jim
Crow” laws. Which prompted the migration north.
Select one piece that your artist did
Name of the piece: War Series: The Letter 1946
Copy and paste your artist’s painting here:
What is it about?
Jacob Lawrence describes his experience during his service during WWII. His
intention was to portray his sense of duty to the community, of regimentation, and
displacement during his time as a United States Coast Guard.
Why did you choose this piece? (Two or more complete sentences, minimum)
I chose this painting because I can relate to it. It reminds me of the feeling of a military
draft letter or maybe even a letter of grievance to a family member.
Name two elements of design that the artist used in this piece:
Ground and Figure
Name one principle of design that the artist used in this piece:
Symmetrical balance
When you first looked at this piece what was your reaction to it? (Two or more complete
sentences, minimum)
My first reaction to this painting was sadness. It filled me with a heavy emotion that can
be related to those that received a draft letter from the United States military. I got that
feeling from the darker colors used and the demeanor of the subject.
Did your reaction change as you studied this piece? Explain.
My reaction slightly changed once I learned what the piece was about. I was able to look
at the painting and see a different viewpoint of a story. This piece tells me that this was
another soldier receiving an emotional letter from home. Jacob Lawrence created this
painting as a reflection of what he experienced during his time abroad the USS Sea
Cloud.
Sources
List two sources you used to gather your information
1. Biography.com (2014). Retrieved September 30, 2020, from
https://www.biography.com/artist/jacob-lawrence
2. The Jacob and Gwendolyn Lawrence Foundation, Seattle / Artists Rights
Society (ARS), New York whitney.org
https://whitney.org/collection/works/2118#:~:text=1946&text=Jacob
%20Lawrence%27s%20War%20Series%20describes,Guard%20during
%20World%20War%20II.
