One of the first Black artists to receive national acclaim in the United States, Jacob Armstead Lawrence (1917–2000) was born in Atlantic City, New Jersey, before moving to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and then to Harlem, New York, in 1930. While enrolled in a community after-school arts program, Lawrence developed his talents as a painter, drawing praise and encouragement from artist Charles Alston, who ran the program at the time. Despite his family’s financial struggles during the Great Depression, Lawrence continued his pursuit of the arts, developing a series of multipanel realist paintings dedicated to iconic Black historical figures, including Toussaint L’Ouverture, Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman. In 1938, he had his first solo exhibition at the Harlem YMCA and had begun to work for the Works Progress Administration (WPA).
In 1940, Lawrence received a grant from a philanthropic organization called the Rosenwald Fund, which allowed him to begin what would become his most famous work: The Migration Series, a narrative piece comprised of casein tempera paint on 60 18-by-12-inch hardboard panels featuring captions he’d written before he began to paint. (Fellow artist and future wife Gwendolyn Knight helped with the text.) Lawrence’s series focuses on the Great Migration of Black Americans from the agricultural South to the industrial North between 1910 and 1940.
By the end of the 1940s, Lawrence had earned widespread recognition for his important work and was the most celebrated Black artist in the United States. He continued covering Black historical figures throughout his career, though he also painted social commentaries on contemporary issues, like World War II and civil rights. He taught at the Art Students League in New York and at Black Mountain College in North Carolina (upon invitation from artist Josef Albers), among other institutions.
Lawrence’s works can be found in the collections of many major museums, including the Museum of Modern Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York and elsewhere. His painting The Builders hangs in the White House today, as it was acquired by the White House Historical Association in 2007.
Find watercolor paintings, prints and more by Jacob Lawrence on 1stDibs.
Confrontation at the Bridge, Signed Screenprint by Jacob Lawrence
By Jacob Lawrence
Located in Long Island City, NY
In this signed print by Black American artist Jacob Lawrence, a group of protestors marches across a bridge with expressions of fear and trepidation. Below them churns a tumultuous r...
Screen
$552Sale Price|20% Off
THE BUILDERS 1985 Commemorative Lithograph Poster, 1st Edition
By Jacob Lawrence
Located in Union City, NJ
JACOB LAWRENCE THE BUILDERS 1985 Commemorative Poster - National Urban League 75th Anniversary 1910-1985 Vintage original 1985 printing Poster size - 35.25 x 22 inches, unframed, u...
Offset
The 1920's, The Migrants Cast Their Ballots, by Jacob Lawrence
By Jacob Lawrence
Located in Long Island City, NY
An original fine art print by Jacob Lawrence from the Kent Spirit of Independence Poster Portfolio, published in 1975 by Lorillard. The offset prints from this portfolio are unsigned...
Offset
1972 Munich Olympics original poster by Jacob Lawrence
By Jacob Lawrence
Located in PARIS, FR
Created for the 1972 Munich Olympics, this powerful original poster by renowned American artist Jacob Lawrence stands as a compelling intersection of sport, art, and identity. Part o...
Paper, Lithograph
Jacob Lawrence Pop Art Screenprint, 1977, Signed, "The Swearing In"
By Jacob Lawrence
Located in Washington, DC
Artist: Jacob Lawrence Title: The Swearing In Portfolio: Inaugural Impressions Medium: Screenprint Date: 1977 Edition: 63/100 Sheet Size: 20" x 30" Frame Size: 27" x 37" Signature: H...
Screen
$5,800
SCHOMBURG LIBRARY 1986 Lithograph, African American History, Black Culture
By Jacob Lawrence
Located in Union City, NJ
SCHOMBURG LIBRARY is a hand drawn, limited edition lithograph by the renowned African American artist Jacob Lawrence, printed using traditional hand ...
Lithograph
$2,796Sale Price|20% Off
Jacob Lawrence, Farmers, from Hiroshima, 1983
By Jacob Lawrence
Located in Southampton, NY
This exquisite silkscreen by Jacob Lawrence (1917–2000), titled Farmers, from the album Hiroshima, originates from the 1983 edition published by The Limited Editions Club, New York, ...
Screen
1972 Munich Olympics original poster by Victor Vasarely
By Jacob Lawrence
Located in PARIS, FR
A striking fusion of modernist aesthetics and Olympic spirit, this 1972 original poster by Victor Vasarely stands out as one of the most iconic contributions to the visual identity o...
Paper, Lithograph
$743,750
"Windows"
By Jacob Lawrence
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Jim's of Lambertville Fine Art Gallery is proud to present this work by Jacob Lawrence (1917 – 2000). Provenance: This painting is from the private collection of Gwen Lawrence, widow of Jacob Lawrence. Exhibitions: An attached photo (3rd photo) of the back of the piece shows its extensive exhibition history. Biography: Leading African-American narrative painter, Jacob Lawrence was born in Atlantic City, New Jersey in 1917. After his father abandoned his family in 1924, Lawrence spent several years in foster homes before reuniting with his mother in 1930 in Harlem, New York. In New York, he attended art classes organized at the Harlem Art Workshop with Charles Aston and the Harlem Community Art Center with Augusta Savage. There, he met fellow young painters, Aaron Douglas, and William Johnson...
Gouache
$2,796Sale Price|20% Off
Jacob Lawrence, Man with Birds, from Hiroshima, 1983
By Jacob Lawrence
Located in Southampton, NY
This exquisite silkscreen by Jacob Lawrence (1917–2000), titled Man with Birds, from the album Hiroshima, originates from the 1983 edition published by The Limited Editions Club, New...
Screen
$2,796Sale Price|20% Off
Jacob Lawrence, Family, from Hiroshima, 1983
By Jacob Lawrence
Located in Southampton, NY
This exquisite silkscreen by Jacob Lawrence (1917–2000), titled Family, from the album Hiroshima, originates from the 1983 edition published by The Limited Editions Club, New York, a...
Screen
$2,796Sale Price|20% Off
Jacob Lawrence, Market, from Hiroshima, 1983
By Jacob Lawrence
Located in Southampton, NY
This exquisite silkscreen by Jacob Lawrence (1917–2000), titled Market, from the album Hiroshima, originates from the 1983 edition published by The Limited Editions Club, New York, a...
Screen
$2,796Sale Price|20% Off
Jacob Lawrence, Boy with Kite, from Hiroshima, 1983
By Jacob Lawrence
Located in Southampton, NY
This exquisite silkscreen by Jacob Lawrence (1917–2000), titled Boy with Kite, from the album Hiroshima, originates from the 1983 edition published by The Limited Editions Club, New ...
Screen
$14,500
Jacob Lawrence Stained Glass Windows Signed 2000 Screenprint Edition of 135
By Jacob Lawrence
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Artist: Jacob Lawrence Title: B,SGW (Stained Glass Windows) Medium: Screenprint in Colors on Rising Paper Edition: Edition 2/135 Publisher: Spradling Ames Corporation, Key West, FL P...
Paper, Screen
Jacob Lawrence The Swearing In Color Screenprint Signed Edition of 100
By Jacob Lawrence
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Artist: Jacob Lawrence Title: The Swearing In Medium: Color screenprint on Cream Wove Paper Dimensions: 18" x 28" Year: 1977 Inscription: Signed, titled, dated and numbered 80/100 in...
Paper, Screen
$8,880
Jacob Lawrence The First Book of Moses Called Genesis Bound Book Screenprints
By Jacob Lawrence
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Artist: Jacob Lawrence Title: The First Book of Moses Called Genesis Medium: Bound book of 8 color screenprints and text, printed by Limited Editions Club, New York; printed at Osiri...
Paper, Screen
$2,796Sale Price|20% Off
Jacob Lawrence, Playground, from Hiroshima, 1983
By Jacob Lawrence
Located in Southampton, NY
This exquisite silkscreen by Jacob Lawrence (1917–2000), titled Playground, from the album Hiroshima, originates from the 1983 edition published by The Limited Editions Club, New Yor...
Screen
$2,796Sale Price|20% Off
Jacob Lawrence, Street Scene, from Hiroshima, 1983
By Jacob Lawrence
Located in Southampton, NY
This exquisite silkscreen by Jacob Lawrence (1917–2000), titled Street Scene, from the album Hiroshima, originates from the 1983 edition published by The Limited Editions Club, New Y...
Screen
$2,796Sale Price|20% Off
Jacob Lawrence, People in Park, from Hiroshima, 1983
By Jacob Lawrence
Located in Southampton, NY
This exquisite silkscreen by Jacob Lawrence (1917–2000), titled People in Park, from the album Hiroshima, originates from the 1983 edition published by The Limited Editions Club, New...
Screen
$1,250
H 41 in W 27 in D 0.3 in
The Magnificient Seven, International 1 sht, R1980 , linen -backed movie poster
By Boris Grinsson
Located in Spokane, WA
The Magnificent Seven (1980) Original International 1-Sheet Movie Poster Capture a piece of cinematic history with this original 1980 international 1-sheet movie poster for the legen...
Offset
Yoshitomo Nara - In the Pink Water
By Yoshitomo Nara
Located in London, GB
Yoshitomo Nara In the Pink Water, 2021 Offset lithograph on paper Sheet size: 72.8 x 51.5 cm Stamped with title, artist's name, copyright and year Unnumbered Sold Out edition pub...
Offset
AQUARIUM (JUDAICA ART)
By Amram Ebgi
Located in Aventura, FL
Embossed lithograph with foil stamping on paper. Hand signed and numbered by the artist. AP edition of 450. Artwork is in excellent condition. Certificate of authenticity included...
Foil
$398Sale Price|20% Off
H 27.25 in W 19.5 in D 0.05 in
Original "American Labor ... Producing for Attack" vintage 1943 poster
Located in Spokane, WA
Original AMERICAN LABOR - PRODUCING FOR ATTACK vintage 1943 poster. Size: 19.5" x 22.25. Professional archival linen backed; ready to frame. War Production Board, Washington D.C. Original. Lithograph. printed by the US Government...
Offset
$19,157
H 39.38 in W 27.56 in D 0.04 in
Ladies and Gentlemen - Screenprint by Andy Warhol - 1975
By Andy Warhol
Located in Roma, IT
Ladies and Gentlemen is a colored screen print realized in 1975 by the Pop artist Andy Warhol. Reference: Feldman-Schellmann, II.126. Monogrammed in pencil lower right and editio...
Screen
FIVE MUSICIANS (JUDAICA ART)
By Amram Ebgi
Located in Aventura, FL
Embossed lithograph with foil stamping on paper. Hand signed and numbered by the artist. From the edition of 750. Artwork is in excellent condition. Certificate of authenticity in...
Foil
$4,789
H 33.08 in W 22.29 in
Alexander Calder - Spirale Millepiedi - Hand-Signed Lithography, 1972
By Alexander Calder
Located in Varese, IT
Alexander Calder ( 1898 - 1976 ) - Spirale millepiedi - hand-signed lithography, 1972 Additional information: Material: color lithography on paper Edited in 1972 Limited edition in ...
Paper, Lithograph
$2,212Sale Price|25% Off
H 30 in W 30 in D 1 in
Anywhere Door (Dokodemo Door) in the Field of Flowers (hand signed lithograph)
By Takashi Murakami
Located in Aventura, FL
Offset lithograph in colors on smooth wove paper. Hand signed lower right by Takashi Murakami. Hand numbered 817/1000 lower right. Hand signed by Fujiko F Fujio (creator of Doraem...
Paper, Lithograph, Offset
Yoshitomo Nara - Tomorrow's Far Away
By Yoshitomo Nara
Located in London, GB
Yoshitomo Nara Tomorrow's Far Away Offset lithograph on paper Sheet size: 51.5 x 36.4 cm Stamped with title, artist's name, copyright and year published by N's Yard, Japan
Offset
Yoshitomo Nara - Thinking My Home
By Yoshitomo Nara
Located in London, GB
Yoshitomo Nara Thinking My Home Offset lithograph on paper Sheet size: 51.5 x 36.4 cm Stamped with title, artist's name, copyright and year published by N's Yard, Japan
Offset
$239
H 24.02 in W 16.93 in D 0.04 in
The Five Markets in Palermo - Print by Piero Gauli - 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Screen print realized by Piero Gauli in 1970s. Edition of 80. Hand signed and numbered in pencil. Very good condition.
Screen
$1,800
H 16.875 in W 14.875 in D 1.25 in
Itzchak Tarkay "Visiting Friends" 2001 Signed Serigraph, Artist Proof
By Itzchak Tarkay
Located in Miami, FL
ITZCHAK TARKAY – "VISITING FRIENDS" ⚜ Serigraph in Color on Wove Paper ⚜ Hand Signed and Annotated AP 23/90 ⚜ Gilt Wood Frame VIBRANT INTERIOR PORTRAIT Printed in 2001, "Visiting Fr...
Archival Paper, Screen
Sold
H 40 in W 25.25 in
'The Relay Race" — Original Olympic Poster, Munich — Black American Artist
By Jacob Lawrence
Located in Myrtle Beach, SC
Jacob Lawrence, 'The Relay Race' (Olympische Spiele München 1972), 12-color serigraph, signed in the matrix, lower right. From the 1972 limited edition silk screen edition of not mor...
Screen
Sold
H 21.5 in W 17.5 in
The 1920's, The Migrants Cast Their Ballots, Modern Print by Jacob Lawrence
By Jacob Lawrence
Located in Long Island City, NY
Jacob Lawrence, American (1917 - 2000) - The 1920's, The Migrants Cast Their Ballots, Portfolio: Kent Bicentennial Portfolio, Year: 1975, Medium: Offset Lithograph, Image Size: 1...
Offset
Sold
H 39.77 in W 25.2 in
The Relay Race : Passing the Baton - Lithograph (Olympic Games Munich 1972)
By Jacob Lawrence
Located in Paris, IDF
Jacob Lawrence The Relay Race: Passing the Baton Lithograph poster Signature printed in the plate On heavy paper 101 x 64 cm (c. 40 x 26 inch) Made for the Olympic Games in Munich, ...
Lithograph
Sold
H 39.77 in W 25.2 in
The Relay Race : Passing the Baton - Lithograph (Olympic Games Munich 1972)
By Jacob Lawrence
Located in Paris, IDF
Jacob Lawrence The Relay Race: Passing the Baton Lithograph poster Signature printed in the plate On heavy paper 101 x 64 cm (c. 40 x 26 inch) Made for the Olympic Games in Munich, ...
Lithograph
original lithograph
By Jacob Lawrence
Located in Henderson, NV
Medium: original lithograph. This lithograph was printed in 1955 for the "Improvisations" portfolio, and published by the Artists Equity Association of New York in an edition of 2000...
Lithograph
The Swearing In, Modern Print by Jacob Lawrence
By Jacob Lawrence
Located in Long Island City, NY
This print by Jacob Lawrence was commissioned for the portfolio "Innagural Impressions", Lawrence initially created two paintings and this screenprint was modeled after the first one...
Screen
Sold
H 35.25 in W 23 in
THE BUILDERS 1985 National Urban League, 1st Edition, Men Working Construction
By Jacob Lawrence
Located in Union City, NJ
JACOB LAWRENCE THE BUILDERS 1985 Commemorative Poster - National Urban League 75th Anniversary 1910-1985, Vintage original 1985 printing Poster size - 35.25 x 23 inches, unframed, u...
Offset
original lithograph
By Jacob Lawrence
Located in Henderson, NV
Medium: original lithograph. This lithograph was printed in 1955 for the "Improvisations" portfolio, and published by the Artists Equity Association of New York in an edition of 2000...
Lithograph
The Swearing In, from 1977 Inaugural Impressions
By Jacob Lawrence
Located in Washington, DC
Artist: Jacob Lawrence Title: The Swearing In Portfolio: Inaugural Impressions Medium: Screenprint Date: 1977 Edition: 51/100 Sheet Size: 20" x 30" Signature: Hand signed and numbere...
Screen
original lithograph
By Jacob Lawrence
Located in Henderson, NV
Medium: original lithograph. This lithograph was printed in 1954 for the "Improvisations" portfolio, published by the Artists Equity Association of New York on the occasion of the 19...
Lithograph
original lithograph
By Jacob Lawrence
Located in Henderson, NV
Medium: original lithograph. This lithograph was printed in 1957 for the "Improvisations" portfolio, published by the Artists Equity Association of New York on the occasion of the 19...
Lithograph
Sold
H 39.77 in W 25.2 in
The Relay Race : Passing the Baton - Lithograph (Olympic Games Munich 1972)
By Jacob Lawrence
Located in Paris, IDF
Jacob Lawrence The Relay Race: Passing the Baton Lithograph poster Signature printed in the plate On heavy paper 101 x 64 cm (c. 40 x 26 inch) Made for the Olympic Games in Munich, ...
Lithograph