Jacob Lawrence's Children At Play

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This critical analysis will be a visual representation of Children at Play (Georgia Museum of Art 1947.178,) a tempera painting on panel created by American Modernist artist Jacob Lawrence in 1947. This 24 x 18-inch composition displays his signature use of “primary colors and flattened forms” through his cubistic figures prancing in a circle in what looks like an area with windows and curtains (Georgia Museum of Art, 2018). The tempera paint supplies a flattened appearance and proposes a vivid color scheme juxtaposed with dark-toned human figures. Lawrence is well-known for illustrating “African-American life, history and his concern for human freedom and dignity” and these influences are often reflected in his work (art.com). For an example, …show more content…

The subject matter of the painting could be inspired by his childhood environment or possibly the neighborhood in which he lived. In addition to the use of dark skin tones within the painting, understanding Lawrence’s culture and heritage allows the viewer to assume that the human figures are also African American. The potential intent behind this painting was to capture a scene of children playing in Lawrence’s neighborhood, and to capture the delighted, spirted, and the carefree emotion behind the children’s attitudes. I believe the purpose of this painting was for Jacob Lawrence to illustrate a time in history and to tell a story. His concern with human freedom is evident in this painting, especially through the children’s’ spirit. Additionally, Lawrence was brought up in a time where African Americans were experiencing freedom for the first time during the Great Migration, therefore this upbringing could also have an influence in his desire to portray freedom as a theme in Children at Play. The children in the painting are experiencing freedom in movement, dance, and in play. Ultimately, Jacob Lawrence wanted to capture the rawness of a human dignity, freedom, and authenticity behind the African-American culture, and I believe the specific purpose of this painting was for Lawrence to share not only another chapter of his life narrative, but a chapter of African American history, as

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