Jacob Lawrence, The Migration Series (long version)

Summary

The video explores a series of paintings by Jacob Lawrence, which document the Great Migration, where African Americans moved from the South to the North in search of better opportunities during the early 20th century. The paintings, split between the Phillips Collection and MoMA, depict both the hope and hardships of this movement, highlighting themes of racism, labor struggles, and societal changes. Lawrence's use of color, form, and poetic titling emphasizes the complexity of this historical moment, blending modernist techniques with deep narrative meaning.

Takeaways

• 🎨 Jacob Lawrence's series consists of 60 small paintings, divided between the Phillips Collection and MoMA.
• 🖼️ The series documents the Great Migration of African Americans from the agricultural South to the industrial North in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
• 📜 Lawrence's family was part of this migration, making the series a deeply personal work.
• 🌍 The migration was driven by racism, Jim Crow laws, and economic opportunities in the North due to labor shortages.
• 🚂 The series emphasizes movement, with the first and last panels depicting train stations, symbolizing the migration journey.
• 🖌️ Lawrence's style is marked by bold color, geometric shapes, and flat compositions, conveying the emotions of the migration.
• 📝 The titles of the paintings play a crucial role, forming a poetic narrative that adds depth to the images.
• 🏙️ Migrants faced new challenges in the North, including poor housing and continued racism, despite some improved conditions.
• ⚖️ The migration was also fueled by injustices in the South, such as lynching and tenant farming conditions.
• 👩‍👦 Lawrence's work is not only a historical document but a modern artistic expression, intertwining modernist techniques with a significant social narrative.

Q & A

What is the subject of Jacob Lawrence's painting series discussed in the video?

The series focuses on the migration of African Americans from the agricultural South to the industrial North in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, known as the Great Migration.

Why are the paintings in the series split between the Phillips Collection and the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)?

The paintings are split because both institutions wanted to showcase the series, so Jacob Lawrence agreed to alternate them. MoMA holds the even-numbered panels, while the Phillips Collection holds the odd-numbered panels.

What historical factors led to the Great Migration?

The Great Migration was driven by extreme racism and Jim Crow laws in the South, as well as labor shortages in the North due to World War I and other factors.

How many people were estimated to have moved during the Great Migration?

Approximately six million African Americans moved during various waves of the Great Migration.

What challenges did African Americans face in the North after migrating?

Although conditions were generally better than in the South, African Americans in the North still faced significant hardship, including poor housing conditions, overcrowded tenements, job discrimination, and racism.

How does Jacob Lawrence convey the complexity of the migration experience in his series?

Lawrence conveys complexity through his use of vibrant colors, stark compositions, and poetic titling. His paintings capture both the hope and the challenges faced by migrants.

What artistic techniques does Lawrence use to convey emotion and movement in his paintings?

Lawrence employs geometric shapes, flat areas of color, and an economical use of form to convey emotions. His compositions often guide the viewer’s eye through the panels, creating a sense of motion and narrative.

What role did the African American press play during the Great Migration?

The African American press was instrumental in encouraging migration by spreading news about better conditions in the North and providing support for those contemplating leaving the South.

How does the painting series reflect the use of modernist techniques in depicting a historical subject?

Lawrence incorporates modernist techniques such as flatness of forms and reductive shapes to visually express the upheaval and change brought about by industrialization and migration, while still maintaining a strong narrative focus.

What significance do the train stations hold in the first and last panels of the series?

The train stations symbolize the beginning and end of the migration journey, highlighting the movement and transition of people seeking a new life in the North.