Birth of a Nation

Negro Painter Jacob Lawrence seldom tries to cover a whole subject on one canvas. In 20 years he has turned out nine series of paintings on such subjects as Haitian Emperor Toussaint L'Ouverture, Negro migration, and Abolitionist John Brown. The success of his approach is attested to by the fact that six of the series have ended up intact in top U.S. museums or public collections. For his latest, 30 small 12-in.-by-16 in. tempera panels (of an eventual 60), Painter Lawrence, 39, has broadened his range, taken in not only the Negro, but the whole nation. His ambitious subject: the birth of the U.S. and its struggle for freedom.

Beginning with Patrick Henry's stirring "Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery?'' Lawrence carries through to a scene of a covered wagon under attack. Eventually he plans to take the series up to the Industrial Revolution of the 1870s. While staying clear of most set historical tableau scenes, Lawrence has managed to bring fresh drama to those he found irresistible, e.g., Washington crossing the Delaware River, which he shows as a series of crowded boats in muted greens and browns, covered and muffled against the bright blue water to capture the quality of "violence, but a quiet feeling as well."

One of the best is his study of two conspirators* (see cut). By showing a dramatic closeup of the two informers, he has neatly rendered the feeling of furtiveness and secretiveness in espionage.

* Lawrence's title is 120.9.14.286.9.33-ton 290.9-27, be at 153.9.28.110.8.19.255. 9.29 evening 178.9.8 . . .--An Informer's Coded Message, actually sent by Benedict Arnold to British Major John Andre, which said: "General Washington will be at King's Ferry Sunday evening next . . ."

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