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.
$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
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
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
$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
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
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
$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, 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
$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, 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, 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, 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, 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
$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
"Jim Got Down on his Knees" (Huckleberry Finn)
By Norman Rockwell
Located in Greenwich, CT
"Jim Got Down on His Knees" is a lithograph on paper by Norman Rockwell from his 1972 Huckleberry Finn suite, printed by Atelier Mourlot, Paris. The image size is 18 x 14 inches and ...
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 - 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
$695
H 32 in W 20 in D 0.25 in
"Orange Row", Abstract Geometric Minimalist Composition w Ovals, Limited Edition
By Geoffrey Bowman
Located in Soquel, CA
"Orange Row", Abstract Geometric Minimalist Composition w Ovals, Limited Edition Delicate and perfect ovals in orange, yellow, red, and blue are purposefully arranged on lined paper...
Paper, Ink, Lithograph, Etching
Tea for two – Tod
By Harry Bunce
Located in Deddington, GB
Tea for two – Tod by Harry Bunce [2017] limited_edition Screen Print Edition number 146 Image size: H:25 cm x W:31 cm Complete Size of Unframed Work: H:41 cm x W:49 cm x D:0.3cm Sol...
Paper, 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
$3,850
H 56.75 in W 42.75 in D 1.5 in
"Conception" - Portrait of a Native American on a Vision Quest
Located in Soquel, CA
"Conception" - Portrait of a Native American on a Vision Quest Large scale and fine detailed work by the artist. Detailed and evocative depiction of a Native American elder by Frank Howell...
Laid Paper, Screen
$750Sale Price|25% Off
H 35.5 in W 31 in D 1 in
Le Petit Chien Sur Le Fauteuil (framed hand signed lithograph)
By René Gruau
Located in Aventura, FL
Le Petit Chien Sur Le Fauteuil (The Little Dog on the Armchair). Lithograph in colors on paper. Hand signed lower right by Rene Gruau. Hand numbered 139/300 lower left. Sheet siz...
Paper, Lithograph
Yoshitomo Nara - Dead Of Night
By Yoshitomo Nara
Located in London, GB
Yoshitomo Nara Dead Of Night 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 - Princess of Snooze
By Yoshitomo Nara
Located in London, GB
Yoshitomo Nara Princess of Snooze Offset lithograph on paper Sheet size: 72.8 x 51.5 cm Stamped with title, artist's name, copyright and year published by N's Yard, Japan
Offset
Yoshitomo Nara - Midnight Truth
By Yoshitomo Nara
Located in London, GB
Yoshitomo Nara Midnight Truth 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
$813
H 23.63 in W 17.72 in
Put On Some Lipstick, Pour Yourself a Drink and Pull Yourself Together
By Pure Evil
Located in London, GB
Pure Evil Elizabeth Taylor - Put on some lipstick, 2021 Screenprint in colours 50 x 35 cm 60 x 45 cm - Framed Edition of 100 + 1 AP signed and numbered by the artist
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
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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