Captain SkinnerJacob Lawrence · 1944
Cubism
1944
74.0 x 54.0 cm
Jacob Lawrence (1917 – 2000)
American dynamic cubist using vibrant, simplified shapes to chronicle the Great Migration and the history of African-American life.
The Story Behind the Painting
Captain Skinner was painted during Jacob Lawrence's time in the U.S. Coast Guard. The captain of his vessel, Lieutenant Commander Carlton Skinner, was the subject of this painting. Lawrence was encouraged to continue painting by his commanding officers, which led to the creation of this masterpiece. The painting features Captain Skinner's face prominently on the left side, while his body is shown on the right side, surrounded by Coast Guard symbols and ships.Artistic Style and Technique
Jacob Lawrence's style is characterized by his use of bold colors and geometric shapes. In Captain Skinner, he employs a mix of blues and whites to create a sense of depth and dimension. The painting's composition is also noteworthy, with the subject's face and body fragmented and reassembled in a Cubist-like manner. This technique adds to the overall sense of movement and energy in the piece. Key Features of the Painting:- The use of blue lenses on Captain Skinner's glasses, giving him an otherworldly appearance
- The presence of Coast Guard symbols and ships, highlighting the subject's profession
- The unique composition, which adds to the painting's visual interest
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About this artwork
- Title: Captain Skinner
- Artist: Jacob Lawrence
- Year: 1944
- Original dimensions: 74.0 x 54.0 cm
- Format: Portrait
- Copyright status: Under copyright
- Movement: Cubism
- Corpus context: military authority & power, west african art inspiration
- Color palette: Dark
- Main color: Steel Blue
Questions & Answers
Where does "Captain Skinner" fall in Jacob Lawrence's career?
Within Jacob Lawrence's career, "Captain Skinner" falls in the Mature Period. The phase helps compare it with the artist's other works.
Where does "Captain Skinner" stand among Jacob Lawrence's recurring subjects?
"Captain Skinner" depicts military art, coast guard symbolism, surreal portrait, geometric abstraction, jacob lawrence style, blue lens effect, cubist composition, 1940s americana, while Jacob Lawrence's recorded themes are early coast guard series, migration narrative influence, exploration of black life, cubism, geometric abstraction, west african art inspiration, dynamic composition style, military authority & power. Comparing the two shows how the work relates to the artist's usual subjects.
Who made "Captain Skinner", and when?
The author of "Captain Skinner" is Jacob Lawrence, and the work is dated 1944.