Jacob Lawrence (1917-2000) created vividly designed paintings and prints dealing with various aspects of black history and social issues. His works revolved around the theme of human struggle with an emphasis on the African American experience. In The John Brown Series, Lawrence created twenty-two silk screen prints which tell the story of John Brown, a 19th century abolitionist who organized and led an anti-slavery raid on Harpers Ferry, Virginia in 1859.
Brown, a white Northerner whose religion-induced beliefs led him to conclude that slavery was wrong, worked actively to free slaves. With a company of 21 men, both white and black, he led a raid on Harpers Ferry, Virginia. For this, he was hanged in 1859. Each print, using a language of simple geometric shapes and strong color contrasts dramatically designed, depicts an episode in the life of Brown.
The story is told as a narrative, each of the twenty-two panels depicting a separate incident. Lawrence often used the series format to present a story or issue of importance in black history or contemporary life (try drawing your own picture series in Just Add Ink). His style of painting, Social Realism, dealt with people and aspects of their daily lives. Rather than presenting images as totally realistic, Lawrence used an expressionistic style in which he simplified form, heightened color and distorted space in order to create dynamic effects. He said:
"My work is abstract in the sense of having been designed and composed, but it is not abstract in the sense of having no human content…I want to communicate…I want the idea to strike right away."
The twenty-two images document the gradual evolution of Brown from a religious organizer, engaged in various occupations, to a determined leader gathering sympathizers and planning the attack on Harpers Ferry which led to his arrest, trial and execution.
The stark simplicity of Lawrence's technique in these twenty-two prints (originally done as gouache paintings) works to powerful, and even tragic, effect as the story unfolds.
For more information on Jacob Lawrence, select Dig Deeper or for lessons coinciding with the exhibition, go to the Lesson Web.
