Jacob Lawrence

By jadenvsanime

  • 1917

    1917
    New York of Atlantic City, Jacob Lawrence was born on September 7th, 1917
  • Period: to

    Foster Care

    Both Lawrence's parents divorced in 1924 and was sent to foster care until he was able to live with his mother in until 1930

  • The Beginning

    Lawrence began to study arts and crafts after school at a day care program called Utopia Children's House.
  • Period: to

    Lawrence's Studies

    After attending the High School of Commerce, Lawrence began to study with Charles Alston and Henry Bannarn at the WPA Harlem Art Workshop.

  • First Piece Recorded

    First Piece Recorded
    In the beginning Lawrence focused on his environment and surroundings in Harlem. This piece is called "The Eviction"

  • First Solo Exhibit

    First Solo Exhibit
    At the Harlem YMCA in 1938, Lawrence had his first solo exhibition for the WPA Federal Art Project.

  • His Longest Paneled Series

    His Longest Paneled Series
    Lawrence created a 60-panel series called "The Migration of Negros" after receiving a grant from Rosenwald Foundation. The first panel is represented as the great migration during WW1.

  • End of "The Migration of Negros" Series

    End of "The Migration of Negros" Series
    The final panel in "The Migration of Negros" with the caption "And the migrants keep coming."

  • Creative Therapy

    Creative Therapy
    From July to November 1949 to January to August 1950, Lawrence went to the Hillside Hospital in Queens to help treat his depression. He creates the piece "Creative Therapy" while getting treatment to show life in the hospital.

  • "Struggle: From the History of the American People"

    "Struggle: From the History of the American People"
    Another 30 paneled series was in the works called "Struggle From the History of the American People". Originally there was going to be 60 panels but Lawrence decided to not finish the other 30 panels.

  • Final Panel

    Final Panel
    Completes the final panel of "Struggle: From the History of the American People".

  • Street to Mbari

    Street to Mbari
    For eight months Lawrence went to Nigeria to teach and learn more about Nigerian culture to show in his paintings "great African artistic tradition". He created many pieces of African life and experiences with new techniques. "Street to Mbari" is the essence of an outdoor market in Nigeria.

  • Spingarn Medal

    Lawerence became the first visual artist to receive a Spingarn Medal.

  • 1972 Munich Olympic Games.

    1972 Munich Olympic Games.
    Edition Olymipia commissioned Lawrence to make a silkscreen print for the 1972 Munich Olympic Games in reference to Jesse Owens in Berlin of 1936.

  • First Mural

    First Mural
    Lawrence for the first time was commissioned to do a mural for the Kingdome Stadium in Seattle, Washington. The piece was called "Games".

  • The Life of Toussaint L'Ouverture

    The Life of Toussaint L'Ouverture
    Lawrence started working with Lou Stovall Workshop Inc in Washington, DC to re-create images from The Life of Toussaint L'Ouverture in silkscreen prints.
  • Period: to

    Awards

    Lawrence received the Artist Award from College Art Association. Then received the NAACP Third Annual Great Black Artists Award, and the Images Award for Outstanding Achievement in Art from the University of Pittsburgh in 1989. Then the next year in 1990 a National Medal of Arts from George H.W. Bush.

  • Last Piece Recorded

    Last Piece Recorded
    The last piece that was documented from Lawrence was called Games: Sleight of Hand.

  • His Passing

    His Passing
    Lawrence was diagnosed with cancer. Two years later he passed away on June 9th 2000 at age 85.