The Migration Series

The Migration Series is a seminal work of American art created by Jacob Lawrence between 1940 and 1941, depicting the Great Migration (African American) of African Americans from the Southern United States to the Northern United States. This series of 60 paintings showcases the experiences of African Americans during this period, highlighting their struggles, hopes, and aspirations, as seen in the works of Romare Bearden, Aaron Douglas, and Palmer Hayden. The series is now split between the Museum of Modern Art in New York City and the Phillips Collection in Washington, D.C., with both institutions showcasing the works of Lawrence alongside other notable African American artists, such as Gordon Parks and Elizabeth Catlett.

Introduction

The Migration Series is a powerful and poignant representation of the Great Migration (African American), which saw millions of African Americans leave the Southern United States in search of better opportunities in the Northern United States, as documented by W.E.B. Du Bois and Langston Hughes. This movement was sparked by the harsh conditions of Jim Crow laws, racial segregation, and economic inequality in the Southern United States, as highlighted in the works of Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. The series is a testament to the resilience and determination of African Americans during this period, as seen in the lives of Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass, and Sojourner Truth. The series has been exhibited at various institutions, including the Whitney Museum of American Art, the National Gallery of Art, and the Studio Museum in Harlem, alongside the works of other notable American artists, such as Grant Wood and Thomas Hart Benton.

Background and Context

The Great Migration (African American) was a pivotal event in American history, with millions of African Americans leaving the Southern United States between 1910 and 1970, as documented by Carter G. Woodson and John Hope Franklin. This movement was driven by the promise of better jobs, education, and living conditions in the Northern United States, as seen in the cities of Chicago, Illinois, Detroit, Michigan, and New York City. However, African Americans faced numerous challenges in their new environments, including racial discrimination, poverty, and limited access to education and healthcare, as highlighted in the works of Richard Wright and Zora Neale Hurston. The Migration Series captures the essence of this experience, with Jacob Lawrence drawing inspiration from his own life, as well as the lives of African Americans such as Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and Langston Hughes. The series also reflects the influence of African American art and culture, as seen in the works of Romare Bearden and Aaron Douglas, who were associated with the Harlem Renaissance.

Creation and Composition

The Migration Series was created by Jacob Lawrence between 1940 and 1941, when he was just 23 years old, and was influenced by the Harlem Renaissance and the Federal Art Project. The series consists of 60 paintings, each measuring 12 inches by 18 inches, and is characterized by its bold colors, geometric shapes, and emotive figures, as seen in the works of Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse. Lawrence used a combination of tempera and casein paint to create the series, which was originally intended to be a single, unified work, as inspired by the murals of Diego Rivera and Jose Clemente Orozco. The series was later split into two parts, with the Museum of Modern Art acquiring 30 paintings and the Phillips Collection acquiring the remaining 30, and has been exhibited alongside the works of other notable American artists, such as Edward Hopper and Georgia O'Keeffe. The series has also been influenced by the African American music of Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and Louis Armstrong, as well as the literary works of Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston.

Artistic and Cultural Significance

The Migration Series is widely regarded as a masterpiece of American art, and has been praised for its powerful and poignant depiction of the African American experience, as seen in the works of Gordon Parks and Elizabeth Catlett. The series has been exhibited at numerous institutions, including the National Gallery of Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art, and the Studio Museum in Harlem, alongside the works of other notable African American artists, such as Romare Bearden and Aaron Douglas. The series has also been recognized for its historical significance, providing a unique window into the experiences of African Americans during the Great Migration (African American), as documented by W.E.B. Du Bois and Carter G. Woodson. The series has influenced a wide range of artists, including Kerry James Marshall, Mickalene Thomas, and Jordan Casteel, who have been inspired by the African American art and culture of the Harlem Renaissance and the Black Arts Movement.

Legacy and Impact

The Migration Series has had a profound impact on American art and culture, and continues to be celebrated and studied today, as seen in the works of Kehinde Wiley and Amy Sherald. The series has been recognized for its historical significance, providing a unique window into the experiences of African Americans during the Great Migration (African American), as documented by Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. The series has also influenced a wide range of artists, including Faith Ringgold, Betye Saar, and Lorna Simpson, who have been inspired by the African American art and culture of the Harlem Renaissance and the Black Arts Movement. The series has been exhibited at numerous institutions, including the Museum of Modern Art, the National Gallery of Art, and the Studio Museum in Harlem, alongside the works of other notable American artists, such as Grant Wood and Thomas Hart Benton. The series continues to be an important part of American cultural heritage, and serves as a powerful reminder of the struggles and triumphs of African Americans during the Great Migration (African American), as seen in the lives of Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass, and Sojourner Truth. Category:American art