Builders #1 (1972) by Jacob Lawrence

Jacob Lawrence (1917-2000) was one of the great American painters of the twentieth century. He grew up in Harlem, and spent afternoons in a community center arts and crafts program. His gifts quickly caught the attention of Harlem Renaissance artists, and soon he found work through the Civilian Conservation Corps.

Lawrence achieved major recognition upon completing paintings of various historical figures. The lives of Toussaint L’Ouverture, Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass, and John Brown supplied Lawrence with inspiration for his best-known groups of works. He also composed a series of paintings illustrating the northern migration of African Americans.

Beginning in the 1940’s, major art galleries in New York displayed his work, something never before accomplished by an African American. Over a sixty-year career of painting and teaching, Lawrence received countless awards and honors, including the Presidential Medal of Arts given by George Bush in 1990.

One particular theme Lawrence developed throughout his career is that of builders and artisans. Inspired by Harlem cabinetmakers and New York laborers, Lawrence showed the dignity of men and women at work. Full of bright primary colors and easily recognizable objects, Builders #1 is a joy to the eyes. My own young children love the piece. The attempt to identifying the tools, and wonder what the builder is making. While the content of Builders #1 is easily understood, the message is nonetheless powerful.

First, the painting speaks of nobility found in honest work. This truth gains even more power because the builder in the painting is an everyday man using everyday tools.

Consider the glory of Jesus Himself working as a carpenter. The creator of the universe learned from Joseph how to saw a board straight! Selecting wood from the very trees He created, Jesus fashioned tables and chairs.

Jesus came from heaven, “not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.” (John 6:38). In thinking on the incarnation, do we remember that for three decades of Jesus’ life it was God’s will that He worked as a carpenter? We must do away with the error of splitting our lives into so-called spiritual and non-spiritual categories. Martin Luther said, “The cobbler praises God when he honestly makes a good pair of shoes.” Christ revealed God’s glory through common labor. How do we approach the everyday tasks in our lives?

Second, the painting makes a connection between human artistry and the first artist, God Himself. Look at the background outside the window. Mount Rainier, close to Lawrence’s Seattle home, rises like a monument. This is a testimony to God’s status as the creator who “established the mountains by His strength, being clothed with power” (Psalm 65:4). In like manner, the builder employs his God-given muscles and creative imagination to craft enduring beauty.

Third, Builders #1 speaks of diligence. “Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth.” (Proverbs 10:4) The man exhibits hard-working hands and a well-used workshop. I would even argue there is evidence of prosperity, for there is an abundance of tools and surplus of hardware. Also, there is nothing to suggest the man is working for the profit of another. That is, it appears the man works in his own shop, using his own resources and skills for his own productions.

Fourth, Builders #1 leads us to think on the themes of creation, fall, and redemption. Upon creating Adam, God told him to subdue the Earth. (Genesis 1:28) In essence, this is a command to work! Therefore, labor is not punishment for sin, for work was established prior to the fall. But Adam did sin, and as a result received a curse on his work. “Cursed is the ground for your sake; In toil you shall eat of it All the days of your life.” (Genesis 3:17) Adam’s work would no longer be altogether profitable or enjoyable. There would be toilsome tasks and frustrating failures. Prior to sin, no matter how hard Adam worked, he would always find pleasantness, satisfaction, and everlasting life. But after the fall, no matter how hard Adam worked he would find measures of pain, sorrow and eventual death.

That is not the end of the story though, for the grace of God provides redemption for fallen humanity. “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) Through the greatest work of Christ, we can be redeemed from our sins. Sin and death have been conquered. What’s more, our redemption affects us in the here and now. Becoming a Christian does not necessarily change our labor, but it certainly changes our love.

Now please hear me correctly. I am not saying that Builders #1 depicts a Christian carpenter at work. However, even a person living outside of Christ’s salvation still exhibits the image of God in their life. The fall corrupts but does not destroy our status as divine image bearers.

Look again at the builder. Determination and satisfaction are written on his face and body. These divine blessings are poured out on humanity, regardless of their acknowledgement of Him. “He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” (Matthew 5:45) The common grace of God allows for pleasantness in the lives of all.

Does the builder know and love the God who blessed him with creative labor? As satisfying as the labor may be, does the builder realize that there is more to life? The more important question is, do we?

In conclusion, through thinking on Builders #1 we are reminded of three truths found in the book of Ecclesiastes. First, work is often burdensome and full of vanity. (Ecclesiastes 2:23). Second, when we are able to find satisfaction in our labor, we should recognize God as the source. (Ecclesiastes 2:24). Third, the highest joy in life will be found in relationship with our Creator, because that is the end for which we were created. (Ecclesiastes 12:1, 12-13)

Note: Because of its composition, Builders#1 does not stay on permanent display at the St. Louis Art Museum, but will be shown from June 24 through August 28, 2005, in Gallery 337. Our piece for next month’s discussion will be a sculpture, The Puritan by Augustus Saint-Gaudens.

W. Scott Lamb is a pastor with Providence Baptist Church in South St. Louis County, MO. He and his wife Pearl enjoy the challenges and pleasures of raising their four sons. Feel free to contact Scott at www.pbcstlouis.com.