“The Great American Epic: Jacob Lawrence’s Migration Series”

By Susan Davidson

Phillips Collection

1600 21st Street NW
Washington, DC 20009
Phone: 202.387.2151

Nearby Metro Stops:

Dupont Circle

Wheelchair Accessible:

Yes

Kid Friendly:

Yes

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When Lawrence completed the 60 panels tracing the early-20th-century exodus of African-Americans from the fields of the South to big cities in the North, he consigned them to a New York art gallery.

The Museum of Modern Art was interested in buying the set, as was Duncan Phillips. With the artist’s permission, 30 panels (those with even numbers) were sold to MOMA and 30 (those with odd numbers) were sold to the Phillips; they’re now in its permanent collection. Rarely are all 60 shown at once, so this is a chance to appreciate what’s considered a masterpiece of 20th-century American art.