“The paintings which I propose to do will depict the struggle of a people to create a nation and their attempt to build a democracy.” -Jacob Lawrence, 1954
On view for just a week more is Jacob Lawrence’s rarely-seen series —”Struggle: From the History of the American People” (1954–56)—Jacob Lawrence: The American Struggle at The Metropolitan Museum of Art through November 1, 2020. Created in a time when African Americans were not given a place in the art world, his series of thirty panels depicts unique moments in America’s founding. From pivotal battles and uprisings to scenes of the country’s forging character, Lawrence challenges the white and masculine narrative by injecting stories of people of color and women into these seminal histories. While each panel is not large in scale, through his graphic use of a strong and bold primary-color palette, the characters and events are vehement and grand. They seem to call out to the viewer to listen to their accounts, dig in a little deeper, round out our history.
With so much on the line at this point in our American history, it feels only right to view our turbulent past with our blinders off and our horrific truths laid bare. Jacob Lawrence was calling to us 66 years ago to do so. With a little hope, we can all do our part and finally live up to Liberty and Justice for All. It is long overdue.
We have no property! We have no wives! No children! We have no city! No country! -petition of many slaves, 1773
Jacob Lawrence (American, Atlantic City, New Jersey 1917–2000 Seattle, Washington).
Jacob Lawrence
Date: 1957
Sidney Waintraub (American, 1903–2002). Budd Studio (American).
Gelatin silver print.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art. New York. Gift of Sidney Waintraub. 1957 (57.678.2).
… is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the prices of chains and slavery? Patrick Henry—1775
Date: 1955
Jacob Lawrence (American, Atlantic City, New Jersey 1917–2000 Seattle, Washington).
12 x 16 in. (30.5 x 40.6 cm).
Panel 1, Collection of Harvey and Harvey-Ann Ross. © The Jacob and Gwendolyn Knight Lawrence Foundation, Seattle/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York.
Rally Mohawks! Bring out your axes and tell King George we’ll pay no taxes on his foreign tea….-a song of 1773
Date: 1955
Jacob Lawrence (American, Atlantic City, New Jersey 1917–2000 Seattle, Washington).
The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country. -Thomas Paine, 1776
Date: 1954
Jacob Lawrence (American, Atlantic City, New Jersey 1917–2000 Seattle, Washington).
And a Woman Mans a Cannon
Victory and Defeat
Date: 1955
Jacob Lawrence (American, Atlantic City, New Jersey 1917–2000 Seattle, Washington).
In all of your intercourse with the natives, treat them in the most friendly and conciliatory manner which their own conduct will admit … Jefferson to Lewis & Clark, 1803
I shall hazard much and can possibly gain nothing by the issue of this interview… Hamilton before his duel with Burr, 1804
Date: 1956
Jacob Lawrence (American, Atlantic City, New Jersey 1917–2000 Seattle, Washington).
Listen, Father! The Americans have not yet defeated us by land; neither are we sure they have done so by water–we therefore wish to remain here and fight our enemy… Tecumseh to the British, Tippecanoe, 1811
Jacob Lawrence (American, Atlantic City, New Jersey 1917–2000 Seattle, Washington).
Trappers
Date: 1956
…if we fail, let us fail like men, and expire together in one common strugge… -Henry Clay, 1813
Jacob Lawrence (American, Atlantic City, New Jersey 1917–2000 Seattle, Washington).
…for freedom we want and will have, for we have served this cruel land long enuff… -a Georgia slave, 1810
Jacob Lawrence (American, Atlantic City, New Jersey 1917–2000 Seattle, Washington).
Peace
Date: 1956
Panel 26, Collection of Bill and Holly Marklyn. © The Jacob and Gwendolyn Knight Lawrence Foundation, Seattle/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York.
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Photography Beth Horta for Sweet Sabelle.