Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by Jacob Lawrence. It dates from 1974 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1974, this screenprint by Jacob Lawrence is part of his broader exploration of labor and community. Unlike his narrative series on historical events, this work captures a moment of collective effort in a contemporary setting. The absence of a title invites focus on the action itself rather than a specific story, emphasizing universal themes of work and cooperation.
Subject & Meaning
The composition avoids individual heroism, instead highlighting the dignity of collective industry and the quiet rhythm of everyday work in urban environments.
The scene portrays construction workers engaged in shared labor, with figures arranged to suggest coordination and mutual reliance. A kneeling figure, a tool-wielding worker, and a standing woman in red convey diverse roles within the same effort. The composition avoids individual heroism, instead highlighting the dignity of collective industry and the quiet rhythm of everyday work in urban environments.
Technique & Style
Lawrence employed screenprinting to achieve sharp, flat planes of color and strong outlines, characteristic of his graphic approach. The palette—dominated by earthy browns and grays with accents of blue and red—creates visual rhythm without realism. His style merges modernist simplification with a sense of movement derived from African and Mesoamerican artistic traditions, translating observation into structured, symbolic form.
History & Provenance
This print was made during Lawrence’s tenure at the University of Washington, where he taught from 1971 to 1986. It reflects his continued engagement with social themes after relocating from New York. While specific ownership history is not documented here, the work aligns with his broader output from this period, which often explored labor and community through accessible print media.
Context
In the 1970s, Lawrence’s focus shifted toward the everyday lives of African Americans beyond historical narratives. This print emerges amid broader cultural movements emphasizing labor rights and urban development. His choice to depict construction—a symbol of rebuilding and progress—resonates with post-civil rights era aspirations for equity and collective advancement in American cities.
Legacy
Lawrence’s screenprints, including this one, expanded access to his visual language beyond gallery walls. By using printmaking, he reached wider audiences and reinforced his belief in art as a tool for social reflection. His integration of modernist form with African American experience influenced generations of artists committed to representing community life with clarity and purpose.
Artist & collection
Artist
Jacob Armstead Lawrence (September 7, 1917 – June 9, 2000) was an American painter known for his portrayal of African-American historical subjects and contemporary life.
