Jacob Lawrence: The Migration Series

by Leah Dickerman, Lonnie G. Bunch III, Phillips Collection (Corporate Author)

Reproduces sixty full-color paintings, completed in 1941 by one of the most famous black artists of the twentieth century, depicting the migration of blacks from the rural South to the urban North after World War II, with scholarly commentary.

Genres: Art, History, Nonfiction, African American

172 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1993

Reviews

[Geoffrey Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

We were able to see the show at MoMA last week. Stunning. Lawrence's dramatic, flat-planed unmodulated figures, stark colors and sharp contrasts produce powerful images, each encapsulating a moment in a terrible, wonderful story. Terrible because of the conditions those people (including his own relatives and others he knew, and many he had read about) were so cruel, wonderful in the ways so many of them not only survived but succeeded in retaining and expressing their dignity. It's a wonderful show. The book will be valuable for those who have not had the opportunity to see the real paintings, magnificently displayed all together and in the order Lawrence intended, to tell his powerful story. The additional material — poems by Langston Hughes and others, videos of Marian Anderson and Billie Holiday, recordings by other great black musicians, and other graphic work by Lawrence, Romare Beardon and others, all give context.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I appreciate the blend of history and art in this exhibition catalog. I treated myself to a full two hours of leisurely reading through the book this afternoon, learning much more about Jacob Lawrence's approach to researching, planning, and executing his masterpiece. The added bonus is inclusion of contemporary poetry; a select group of authors was invited to write poems based on one or more panels in the Great Migration Series. I introduced Lawrence's work in my classroom this spring and plan to do much more with the images in the coming school year. I was initially struck by the use of color and movement in the paintings; catalog notes have given me new ideas to consider when presenting the art to students..

[Becki Iverson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I so hope a Jacob Lawrence series comes to Minneapolis, because I am totally inspired after reading about him. This is one of the best written (yes, written) art books I've seen. The companion pieces are really compelling and each painting receives its own historical explanation. Seen individually, many of the Migration Series paintings are highly abstract, so it definitely helps to give them some context.

Fans of abstract art, African American art and history, interested in the Great Migration, or looking for something that should enter the American Art canon should pick this up. The paintings are gorgeous and the writing is great. I loved it.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Five stars for the images, three stars for the text. I encountered Jacob Lawrence's work at the Museum of Modern Art and the Whitney during a visit to NYC in early March--the last plane trip I will have taken for a very long while. I was able to see half of the Migration series at MOMA; it was stunning, and I acquired this book when I realized I wouldn't be visiting museums for a long time.

There are two introductory essays whose positions should have been reversed and which both needed a lot of editing. Each of the 60 painting also had an extended caption written by a scholar. I didn't read those. I thought the pictures, and Lawrence's brief captions/titles, spoke for themselves.

[Einar Jensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Today I read a wonderful book called Jacob Lawrence: The Migration Series. The authors Leah Dickerman and Elsa Smithgall are curators at the Museum of Modern Art and The Phillips Collection, respectively. This book introduces readers to Lawrence and the series of 60 paintings he created in 1941 to interpret the Great Migration of black Americans from rural communities in the South to northern cities during World War I. They headed north for jobs, freedom, and to escape the oppressive Jim Crow conditions of the South. They found violence and different forms of discrimination in the north as well as jobs and opportunities. The book includes all 60 paintings, which is why I bought it, and the artist’s descriptions that he attached to each. Rather than recommend the book though, I recommend finding some of Lawrence’s art online first and then deciding whether to borrow or buy.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jacob Lawrence's style is not my personal favorite, but I still find his painting compelling, especially when paired with the brief essays that accompany each of the 60 panels in the series. I also enjoyed the introductory essay.

After the paintings, my favorite part of this book is the 11 poems commissioned to complement Lawrence's Migration Series. If Lawrence's work was more my personal style, this would be a five star book, but I reserve those designations for the books that make a profound personal impact on me.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an opportunity to examine Mr. Lawrence's original captions (1941) and his rewritten captions (1993) along with each of the 60 panels in the Migration Series. Also not to be missed - the poems that conclude the book.

[Sidik Fofana · Rating 4 out of 5]

SIX WORD REVIEW: With a poem by Tyehimba Jess.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

One day when I was at school at the University of Washington, I was walking through a study space that bridged two libraries, and I noticed some art on one wall. I think they'd just recently decided to make a little gallery in the study space, so I tentatively went in. On the walls were all these bold colors and somewhat abstract figures. "What is this?? And am I even allowed to be in here?"

So I furtively looked around, made sure no one was around to stop me, and I got closer to all those bold colors. I read some of the labels and realized this was a mini exhibit of Jacob Lawrence's work. "Who? I dunno, but it's speaking to me."

After I read more of the labels I started looking Closely at the paintings, and I realized this stuff was Deep. I mean DEEP. Between the colors, the shapes, and the narrative, I was hooked.

Side story: around 2018 or 2019, the Seattle Art Museum announced they were going to have a Jacob Lawrence exhibit in 2020. I was *so* excited. I was going to go to the big city to see an art exhibit! And oh my gosh, they would have so many full-size paintings... I couldn't wait!

But... That's right, it was in 2020. *record scratch* Even though the museum reopened for part of the exhibit's run, I didn't feel comfortable being around that many people yet (buses and gallery spaces and museum employees and sidewalks), so I didn't go. I was SO disappointed. The publicity had talked about putting together all these paintings that had been spread out across the world, but they were being loaned to be shown together for this rare traveling exhibit... and I couldn't go.

I did get this book as a Christmas present that year, though, so I figured it would be... "like" going to the exhibit...ish? Now that it's finally at the top of my reading pile and unwrapping it and flipping through it... it's NOTHING like how glorious I'm sure the exhibit was. And I'm sad all over again. :(

But it's still a nice book. The colors are bold and beautiful, just like in the original works. The book also includes Lawrence's exhibit text (both the original 1941 text and his 1993 revised versions); curator text for each panel, describing Lawrence's work, style, research, and historical context; an introduction to Lawrence, his work, and the history of these panels; and related poetry. (But still not as glorious as seeing his work in person.)

[Phillip · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent Companion to SAM Exhibit. Well written historical introduction and detailed descriptions. Graphics are bright and displayed well. Exhibit was a bit of a let down but makes up for it.

[Mary Keen]

I heard about this artist on an NPR interview. The hardback and softback seem to include the same paintings, but different descriptive information.

I'll be reading and looking at it again.

[Ellen Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

sums up the early 20th century African American migration out of the South with wonderful art and terse prose.

[Mary Keen]

I heard about this artist on an NPR interview. The hardback and softback seem to include the same paintings, but different descriptive information.

I'll be reading and looking at it again.