09/07/2025
On September 7, 1917, American modernist Jacob Lawrence was born. Lawrence is celebrated for his visual interpretations of Black life and history, which he often explored in series.
Today, Lawrence is considered one of the leading innovators of modernism in the United States, and a master storyteller dedicated to portraying the lives of Black, poor, and marginalized people. He is especially recognized for his historical series that depict the lives of heroic individuals or the struggles of everyday Black people.
"Pool Parlor" was the first work by Lawrence to enter The Met's collection. This painting evokes a scene along Lenox Avenue, a central street in Harlem known at the time for its many pool parlors.
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🎱 Jacob Lawrence (American, Atlantic City, New Jersey 1917–2000 Seattle, Washington), "Pool Parlor," 1942. Watercolor and opaque watercolor on paper. © 2025 The Jacob and Gwendolyn Lawrence Foundation, Seattle / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
