Jacob Lawrence’s The Library
For this assignment, 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.
