Jacob Lawrence: Paintings, Drawings, and Murals (1935-1999) : A Catalogue Raisonne

by Peter T. Nesbett

Intimate in scale and bold in content, Jacob Lawrence's candid portrayals of life in Harlem during the Depression and his epic multi-panel series painted in the late 1930s and early 1940s are the cornerstone of his aesthetic production. His paintings, drawings, and murals depict both critical moments in history and poignant struggles of everyday life. The subject matter ranges from unforgiving depictions of racial injustice to compassionate scenes of family life, from unnerving images of nuclear annihilation to visual celebrations of such heroic individuals as Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman. His use of the series format and his attention to pressing social issues accord him a unique position in the history of American modernism. Jacob Paintings, Drawings, and Murals (1935-1999), A Catalogue Raisonne identifies, authenticates, and documents over 900 paintings, drawings, and murals created by Jacob Lawrence. It includes 810 color illustrations and 105 black-and-white illustrations.

Genres: Art

343 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2001