Jacob Lawrence (1917-2000) is among the most distinguished 20th-century African-American painters. He is widely known for his modernist illustrations of everyday life as well as epic narratives of African American history and historical figures. The new book Jacob Lawrence: Lines of Influence explores his life, work, and legacy not only as an acclaimed artist but also as a storyteller, educator, and chronicler of the mid-20th-century African American experience. The book's first part, 'Relations', traces some of the engagements that shaped Lawrence's personal and professional life. It presents his work in dialogue with that of his contemporaries, mentors, and historically significant artists, such as Josef Albers, Richmond Barthe, Romare Bearden, Jose Clemente Orozco, George Grosz, Marsden Hartley, Gwendolyn Knight Lawrence, Horace Pippin and Augusta Savage. Its second part, 'Legacy', explores Lawrence's influence on contemporary artists living and working today and those who share similar formal and conceptual concerns.
