Representative work by William H. Johnson
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Artist

William H. Johnson

1901–1970 · American

  • Wilson High School

William H. Johnson moved from expressionistic European landscapes to bold, flattened paintings of Black American life after returning to the United States in 1938. His later work uses strong contour and saturated color to depict family, labor, religion and history.

Painting; printmaking

Major Works

  • 1941Going to Church
  • 1939Chain Gang
  • 1941–42Jitterbugs
  • 1939–40Street Musicians
  • 1944Three Friends
  • 1940Harlem Street Scene
  • 1944Mom and Dad
  • 1942Training for War
  • 1944Moon over Harlem
  • 1940sFerry Boat

Interviews & Writing

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