This painting of a group of men constructing a building was done by Jacob Lawrence. A stark contrast to the 19th century styles within the White House Collection, this painting leans on browns, reds and blues to convey the impression of busy workmen on an active construction site. Lawrence is one of the best-known African American painters of the 20th century. Born in Atlantic City, New Jersey, he studied under and worked with several Harlem Renaissance painters and was employed as an artist under the Works Progress Administration, established by President Franklin D. Roosevelt during the Great Depression. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II and afterward had an extensive artistic career while teaching at several universities.