Jacob Lawerence: The American Struggle

Posted in Art, exhibits

In view now at the Met Museum in NY – Jacob Lawerence: The American Struggle. Lawrence said the paintings depicted “the struggles of a people to create a nation and their attempt to build a democracy.” They were painted at the height of the Cold War and Joseph McCarthy’s Red Scare, which also coincided with landmark Civil Rights actions, such as the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court ruling that called for the desegregation of public schools. Many of the paintings are accompanied with quotations from historical texts.

Featured image: In all of your intercourse with the natives, treat them in the most friendly and conciliatory manner which thier own conduct will admit… Jefferson to Lewis & Clark, 1803
1956

Design and Style Report image, Jacob Lawerence paintings at Met Museum NY
Listen, Father! The Americans have not yet defeated us by land; neither are we sure they have done so by water–we therefore wish to remain here and fight our enemy… Tecumseh to the British, Tippecanoe, 1811
1956
Design and Style Report image, Jacob Lawerence paintings at Met Museum NY
Thousands of American citizens have been torn from their country and from everying dear to them: they have been dragged on board ships of ward of a foreign nation. -Madison, 1 June 1812
1956
Design and Style Report image, Jacob Lawerence paintings at Met Museum NY
We have no property! We have no wives! No children! We have no city! No country! -Petition of many slaves
1955
Design and Style Report image, Jacob Lawerence paintings at Met Museum NY
Defeat, 1954

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