Bootleg Whiskey—You Can Buy Bootleg Whiskey for Twenty-five Cents a Quart, from the series Harlem 1943

"Bootleg Whiskey—You Can Buy Bootleg Whiskey for Twenty-five Cents a Quart" is part of Jacob Lawrence’s iconic "Harlem" series, a collection of 30 panels depicting life in the African American neighborhood of Harlem in the 1930s and 1940s. Painted in 1943, this particular panel depicts a scene of social gathering, with a man drinking from a bottle, a woman pouring a drink, and another person sitting at the table. This depiction of everyday life, with vivid colors and geometric forms characteristic of Lawrence's style, gives viewers insight into the social realities of the time, while also showcasing Lawrence’s masterful portrayal of human figures and their interactions.