Harvard University The Library 1960 by Jacob Lawrence Art Discussion Questions

 write a 4-5 page, double-spaced paper (with separate cover and bibliography/notes page), using the standard essay format, comparing these two images: Jacob Lawrence’s The Library, 1960 with Miguel Cabrera’s Portrait of Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz, c. 1750.

Consider the formal elements of color, space and line in these paintings. How does each of these elements inform or influence the deeper content and meaning of these works? Also, take into consideration when the images were made (their context). Does this influence or affect our reading of them? For example, Lawrence’s image was part a series of works that documented the lives of Black Americans’ relationship to libraries, whereas Cabrera’s image is a posthumous portrait of the poet. The time period in which these images were created is important to how to understand them. Explain.

Note: Your paper should be written in the third person—a more objective mode of presentation than the first person. This paper must follow all the guidelines set out in the syllabus. Please use standard Chicago style format and cite at least two sources in your paper.

Jacob Lawrence, The Library, 1960, tempera on fiberboard (Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc., 1969.47.24)

Miguel Cabrera, Portrait of Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, c. 1750, oil on canvas (Museo Nacional de Historia, Castillo de Chapultepec, Mexico)

(The two artworks that have to be compared/written about for the paper)