The Harlem Rennaisance - Art Making History

During the Era of Modernism, an artistic trend began around the end of the nineteenth century and dominated expression until WWII and after. [1] The work of these three African-American Artists, Aaron Douglas (1898-1979), Lois Mailou Jones, (1905-1998) and Jacob Lawrence (1917-2000) were apart of an African American community formed by that trend in Harlem, New York City.

This movement was known as the "New Negro Movement" and it began due to the near collapse of the Southern Agriculture economy. [2] More than two million African Americans migrated to Northern Cities in search for work. Many of those started a new life in Harlem. Even though the racism still existed there, it was much different than what they had previously experienced.

This period extended from roughly 1920-1940, and included not only visual art like the above, but music, theatre, poetry, history and political works as well.

New York entrepreneurs had great plans for Harlem. Construction of town homes, and town buildings including an opera were being developed. These struggles and progress are depicted in the artists' works, including distinct personal, political and social messages. The Harlem Renaissance artists displayed a perfect example of what daily life was like for African Americans in Harlem.

Artists were inspired to create art work that was contemporary, full of emotion, and celebrated African American history and culture.

JACOB LAWRENCE (1917-2000)

Jacob Lawrence was born in Atlantic City, New Jersey. He spent his early childhood in Easton and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania but at age thirteen his mother and siblings moved to Harlem. He received his training at community centers in Harlem. Two of them were: The Easel Project of The Works Progress Administration, and The American Artist School in New York. [3]

Jacob Lawrence was a painter known for his creative storytelling methods within his works. "His stories were accompanied with visual dramatizations of the African American experience." [4]