Jacob Lawrence: An Intimate Portrait, 1993 | From the Vaults

The American modernist Jacob Lawrence (1917-2000) is best remembered today for his vivid depictions of the Black experience, especially “The Migration Series” (1941-42). In this short feature, produced by the Los Angeles County Museum of Art to accompany a 1993 exhibition of his earlier historical series on the radical lives of Frederick Douglass (1938) and Harriet Tubman (1939), hear directly from Lawrence and those who knew him well-including his artist wife Gwendolyn Knight, and Barbara Thomas, artist, friend, and former student. The film also highlights a few panels from Lawrence’s epic if lesser-known series, “Struggle: From the History of the American People” (1954-56), currently featured in the special exhibition, "Jacob Lawrence: The American Struggle," on view at The Met through November 1, 2020.
Learn more about the exhibition: www.metmuseum.org/exhibitions...
As part of The Met’s 150th anniversary in 2020, each month we will release three to four films from the Museum’s extensive moving-image archive, which comprises over 1,500 films, both made and collected by the Museum, from the 1920s onward. This includes rarely seen artist profiles and documentaries, as well as process films about art-making techniques and behind-the-scenes footage of the Museum.
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[@PoeCommunicateATL]

I profiled him in 1995 when I was a reporter for the Chicago Tribune. He was kind, talented and beyond brilliant!

[@marcellafcamara7121]

How wonderful

[@GrandPrizeFitnesAJAY]

Such a blessing. ❤

[@JM-vj7we]

I have a signed limited print by Mr. Lawrence.
Met him at his Brooklyn Museum reception in the late 80’s!

[@melissavancl_2090]

Wow I've never known about this wonderful man and his art. I'm excited about learning and seeing more.

[@pcbif]

Thanks so much posting this. Jacob Lawrence was an amazing artist, but also an amazing person. I wish I could have met him.

[@agentike2]

This man's work had/has the ability to turn up the volume on vision!

[@IndigENous-uk3si]

Brilliant, Educational, Humble, Intellectual, Artist Mr Jacob Lawrence -Thank You Sir

[@100and1percentCotton]

Stylized Suffering. Oppression Deco. Honorable Illustration. These are the words that come to my mind. This work is incredibly unique and beautiful. The subject matter grabs your attention and the details hold on to it.

[@rutbrea8796]

Very inspiring. Thank you for sharing. I have learned something wonderful today.

[@tarnopol]

Never knew about this guy; thanks! Another terrific Vault documentary. Keep 'em up! They make my month.

[@flaviaocaranza6068]

So powerful! Obrigada!

[@brylorbs69]

His illustrations for John Hersey's "Hiroshima" published by the Limited Editions Club are amazingly powerful.

[@scottgarvey3253]

Picasso and lawrence