Jacob Lawrence's Migration Series was not his only narrative series of paintings, but it was his biggest hit. This collection of 60 painted panels tells the story of The Great Migration as millions of black families moved from the rural South to Northern cities around the time of World War 1. Lawrence was speaking to his experience and the experience of many black Americans in the period between the wars. I think this series resonates with a wide audience because it hits at the hope and the promise of the nation, the tragedy of failures to live up to its promise and ideals, but also the perseverance of hopeful people. As he said in this work, "They kept coming."

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