Compassion, "the sympathetic consciousness of others' distress together with a desire to alleviate it," is the feeling that emanates from the prolific oeuvre of renowned American artist Jacob Lawrence. For the past sixty years since he embarked on his artistic career in 1930's Harlem, Lawrence has deliberately chosen subject matter and a style of expression that recognize the endurance and triumph of the human spirit in the midst of adversity. Bold colors, simple forms and flat perspectives are masterfully orchestrated into powerful works of dynamic energy and emotion. From the passion and intensity of the abstract preacher figure in the Eight Sermons of the Creation from the Book of Genesis series, to the haunting pain and atrocity expressed through harshly delineated shapes and garish color juxtapositions in the Hiroshima series, to the solid integrity of dedicated laborers manipulating delicately-rendered tools in the numerous Builders images, Lawrence has communicated a range of human experience with personal courage and conviction.

The impact and scope of Jacob Lawrence extends beyond his identity as a professional artist, as evidenced by his role as a pillar in the Seattle and Washington State arts communities. A Seattle resident for more than thirty years, Lawrence is a retired Professor Emeritus at the University of Washington School of Art.

You are invited to explore the profound influence and remarkable accomplishments of this contemporary master in a selection of prints from the Microsoft Art Collection featured in this on-line exhibit.