The artwork, titled “New Jersey, from the United States Series,” was created by Jacob Lawrence in 1946. It is associated with the Expressionism and Social Realism movements and falls under the genre of genre painting.
In the artwork, vibrant colors and dynamic forms depict various scenes representative of different aspects of New Jersey. The composition is animated and features abstractions of human figures and locales. The presence of symbols such as the Palisades, the Hoboken ferry, and the lighthouse imbue the piece with a rich regional specificity. Industrial elements, including structures labeled “Newark”, contrast against more leisurely scenes like a sunbather with an umbrella, indicating the diverse experiences within the state. The figures are stylized and expressively rendered, characteristic of Lawrence’s distinctive artistic approach. The overall arrangement brings together the contrasting elements of labor, industry, nature, and recreation, encapsulating the essence of New Jersey in a vivid and engaging manner.
