Migration panel 16. Although the Negro was used to lynching, he found this an opportune time for him to leave where one had occurred.

A distraught woman is shown hunched over, mourning the loss of a loved one who was lynched. She is faceless, like the majority African Americans during this time period, representing the overall population and the emotional damage they suffer. While the overall tone and theme of loss, death, grievance, and a reflection of the time period is touched upon in this painting, several artistic advancements are also evident through Lawrence’s painting style. The illusion of the tabletop collapsing underneath of the weight of grief only further exemplifies the overall tone. The placement of the bowl on the edge of the table expresses a sense of anxiety and edge to the environment. These deep cubist influences are also evident in the disjointed, geometric interpretation of the woman, in addition to the limited color palette.
SKU: 65209
Creator: Jacob Lawrence
Date: 1940-41
Original Medium: Tempera on gesso on composition board
Original Size: 18 x 12 in
Location: Museum of Modern Art, NY
© 2016 The Jacob and Gwendolyn Knight Lawrence Foundation, Seattle / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York