Jacob Lawrence Children At Play Summary

I. A Critical Analysis of “Children at Play” by Jacob Lawrence, 1947

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). Jacob Lawrence is well-known for illustrating “African-American life, history and his concern for human freedom and dignity” (art.com). These influences are often reflected in his work. For an example, in Children at Play, the colors reflect those of the

These shapes are painted using the same colors of blue, green, black, and red, and the mask-like faces of the implied body figures are painted with darker hues of brown and black. These human figures appear to be wearing long, dress-like, one-piece garments, and their hairstyles are varied with organic shapes and lines. The implied hair is represented with a dark black hue and a lighter grey value to indicate the highlight of their faces. The figures’ upper limbs are bent as they appear to be holding hands with one another, and their legs vary from an open and outflowing posture to a more structured stance. All shoes are painted in black, except for the figure in the center of the composition and except for the socks of another figure also located in the center of the composition. Overall, the visual elements of this painting indicate a scene of free-spirited human figures holding hands in a circle next to a wall and window, dancing with great movement and

When judging Lawrence’s Children at Play, I consider the creativity and originality of the theme, the quality of composition and design, the perceived message, and most importantly, the overall impression the art gives the audience. Lawrence uses a creative approach in how he communicates his ideas to the viewer through the use of human dimension in his art, especially in Children at Play, in order to give the viewer a sense of relatability. This element allows the audience to see stories apart from their own lives, even if they have no interest, experience, or knowledge of art (Diamond, 2017). I believe Children at Play depicts originality, because it was inspired by a real-life, authentic, experience, and his stylistic decision to portray this experience with basic visual elements reflects the simplicity of the moment captured in