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Artwork © Gwendolyn Knight Lawrence, courtesy of the Jacob and Gwendolyn Lawrence Foundation
INFO
In this painting Jacob Lawrence portrayed himself as the artist in his studio in Seattle, Washington, where he and Gwendolyn Knight moved in 1971. Lawrence depicted his own face as mask-like, and he is holding brushes that represent his profession as a painter. He is smiling, as though he is welcoming the viewer, inviting them into his space.
The artist is surrounded by his tools and materials--tubes and jars of paint, clamps, a drill, a lathe, and a hammer. On the left, one of Lawrence's paintings hangs on the wall. It is an image of Harriet Tubman leading slaves to freedom from Lawrence's narrative series, The Life of Harriet Tubman, 1939-40. Below the Harriet Tubman painting, a figure dressed in blue ascends a staircase. Perhaps this figure is from another of Lawrence's works, or it could be an actual person, or another painted figure. On the right there are some more of Lawrence’s paintings, including Tombstones, 1942, and Cabinet Makers, 1946.
SYMBOL
A symbol is something--usually a sign or an object--that represents or stands for something else. For example, flags can be symbols for countries and hearts are often symbols for love.
LOOK
What symbols does Jacob Lawrence include in this painting? What do they represent?
Whose painting is in the background on the left? How do you know?
What other images by the artist can you find in this painting?
What expression does Jacob Lawrence have on his face?
Why do you think Lawrence chose to give himself a mask-like appearance?
EXPLORE
Go to http://www.jacoblawrence.org/art04.html and select the medium: painting. In the Title box type in "The Studio." Click on SUBMIT.
• How has Lawrence represented himself in this painting?
Compare Lawrence's self-portrait with The Studio, 1977.
What are the similarities? What are the differences?
How do you pose for school portraits? Family portraits? How does the way you pose show who you are and how you feel?
Find a favorite photograph of yourself and bring it to class. Write a short description of yourself in the photograph and consider the following questions:
Why is it your favorite photograph?
When you look at this photograph, what do you see?
What elements of the photograph do you like best? Why?
Who took this photograph?
Present and discuss your photograph and essay with the class.
