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.
Jacob Lawrence Poster The Relay Race Lithograph Olympic Games Munich 1972
By Jacob Lawrence
Located in Praha, CZ
- rare - marked - original - can be framed and glazed.
Paper
$1,032
H 39.77 in W 25.2 in D 0.04 in
Original Vintage Sport Poster Munich Olympics 1972 Tom Wesselmann Foot Pop Art
By Tom Wesselmann
Located in London, GB
Original vintage sport poster for the 1972 Summer Olympic Games held from 26 August to 11 September 1972 in Munich Germany featuring a bright design by the American Pop Art artist Th...
Paper
1972 Munich Olympic Games - David Hockney Original Vintage Poster
By David Hockney
Located in Winchester, GB
Celebrated British artist David Hockney was one of 29 artists commissioned to produce posters for the 1972 Munich Olympic Games. In the run-up to ...
Paper
$509
H 33 in W 23.2 in D 0.1 in
1972 Munich Olympic Games Stadium - Otl Aicher Original Vintage Poster
By Otl Aicher
Located in Winchester, GB
German graphic designer Otl Aicher lead the design team of the 1972 Munich Olympic Games, including designing this gorgeous poster featuring the O...
Paper
Original and Oficial Poster Mexico 1968 Olympic Games
By Lance Wyman
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Oficial and Original Poster for 1968 Mexico Olympic Games officially known as the Games of the XIX Olympic held from 12-27 October 1968, featuring the iconic eye-catching event logo ...
Paper
Otmar Alt Original 1972 Olympic Poster
By Otmar Alt
Located in Weesp, NL
Experience the vibrant spirit of the 1972 München Olympic Games with the iconic poster created by the renowned artist Otmar Alt. This poster not only commemorates a historic event but also showcases Alt's distinctive artistic style and creativity. Otmar Alt, a German painter, graphic artist, and sculptor born in 1940, is celebrated for his colorful and playful artworks. His whimsical and imaginative approach to art has earned him a prominent place in the world of contemporary art, making his creations highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts. The München Olympic poster by Otmar Alt captures the essence of the Olympic Games with its dynamic composition and lively colors. Alt's unique artistic vision shines through in every detail, from the bold typography to the energetic illustrations that evoke the excitement and camaraderie of athletic competition. As an official poster for the 1972 München Olympics, this artwork not only serves as a memento of a significant sporting event but also represents the creative fusion of sports and art. Whether you're an art lover, a sports enthusiast, or a collector of Olympic memorabilia...
Paper
$659
H 36.23 in W 25.2 in D 0 in
Original Vintage Poster, Olympic Runners, Munich Games, 1973 Sports Poster
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
Artist: Anonymous Year: 1973 Dimensions: 92 x 64cm Condition: Excellent condition Format: Linen backed.
$1,032
H 39.77 in W 25.2 in D 0.04 in
Original Vintage Sport Poster Munich Olympics 1972 Black Pattern Chillida Design
By Eduardo Chillida
Located in London, GB
Original vintage sport poster for the 1972 Summer Olympic Games held from 26 August to 11 September 1972 in Munich Germany featuring an abstract design by the sculptor Eduardo Chilli...
Paper
$1,032
H 39.77 in W 25.2 in D 0.04 in
Original Vintage Sport Poster Munich Olympics 1972 Max Bill Shapes Design
By Max Bill
Located in London, GB
Original vintage sports poster promoting the 1972 Summer Olympic Games in Munich Germany featuring a great minimalist design by the Swiss architect, artist, painter and graphic desig...
Paper
$1,032
H 39.77 in W 25.2 in D 0.04 in
Original Vintage Sport Poster Munich Summer Olympics 1972 Swimming RB Kitaj
By Ronald Brooks Kitaj
Located in London, GB
Original vintage sports poster for the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich - Olympische Spiele Munchen - designed by the painter and printmaker Kitaj (Ronald Brooks Kitaj; 1932-2007) depi...
Paper
Original Mexico 68 Olympic Games Poster
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Printed by Impresos Automáticos de México S.A., circa 1968. We offer this Original Mexico 68 Olympic Games poster, printed on paper and created as part of the iconic graphic design p...
Paper
1972 Munich Olympic Games - Josef Albers Original Vintage Poster
By Josef Albers
Located in Winchester, GB
German painter Josef Albers was one of 29 artists commissioned to produce posters for the 1972 Munich Olympic Games. In the run-up to the 1972 Gam...
Paper
Original 1972 Munich Olympic Poster by Alan Davie
By Alan Davie 1
Located in Weesp, NL
Immerse yourself in the dynamic energy of the 1972 Olympic Games with the iconic poster created by the renowned artist Alan Davie. This poster not only commemorates a historic sporting event but also showcases Davie's unique artistic vision and creativity. Alan Davie, a Scottish painter and jazz musician born in 1920, is celebrated for his abstract and expressive artworks. His vibrant and colorful compositions, infused with symbolism and spontaneity, have captivated art enthusiasts around the world and earned him a distinguished place in the realm of contemporary art. The 1972 Olympic poster by Alan Davie captures the essence of athleticism and competition with its dynamic forms and bold use of colors. Davie's expressive brushstrokes and abstract motifs create a visual spectacle that resonates with the spirit of the Olympic Games, conveying a sense of movement, passion, and unity. As an official poster for the 1972 Munich Olympics, this artwork not only serves as a symbol of sporting excellence but also represents the cultural and artistic significance of the event. Whether you're an art connoisseur, a sports enthusiast, or a collector of Olympic memorabilia...
Paper
Jacob Lawrence Abstract Mixed Media Wall Art
By Wassily Kandinsky, Jacob Lawrence
Located in Fulton, CA
Exceptional Cubism mixed media abstract wall art on panel by Jacob Lawrence. 49.25 inches wide. 31.25 inches high. 1.25 inches deep. JACOB LAWRENCE: Born in New Jersey and raised ...
Wood, Masonite
Jacob Lawrence Signed Poster " Immigrants Cast Their ballots "
By Jacob Lawrence
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A poster by noted African American artist Jacob Lawrence for his exhibit at the Cincinnati Art museum . Lawrence known for his artistic history of black life in his America told in h...
Paper
Sold
H 12 in W 9.5 in D 2.5 in
The Complete Jacob Lawrence - Over the Line / Catalogue Raisonne - 1st Edition
By Jacob Lawrence
Located in Rochester, NY
The Complete Jacob Lawrence - Over the Line - The Art And Life Of Jacob Lawrence / Jacob Lawrence - Paintings, Drawings, And Murals ( 1935-1999 ) A Catalogue Raisonne. Two volume set...
Paper
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H 29.75 in W 22 in D 0.13 in
Jacob Lawrence African American Artist - Silkscreen, 1976. Morning Still Life
By Jacob Lawrence
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Artist: Jacob Lawrence, American (1917 - 2000) Title: Morning Still Life Year: 1976 Medium: Silkscreen on Arches, signed and numbered in pencil ...
Paper
Sold
H 12.75 in W 9.75 in D 1.38 in
Book "Hiroshima" by John Hersey with Original Serigraphs by Jacob Lawrence, 1983
By Jacob Lawrence
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Book “Hiroshima” with a new poem by Robert Penn Warren and original silk-screens by Jacob Lawrence. A beautiful and haunting book with original serigraphs...
Leather