Object Details
Artist
William H. Johnson, born Florence, SC 1901-died Central Islip, NY 1970
Exhibition Label
Posed before river barges and Lower Manhattan's iconic skyline, this dapper troop of African American schoolboys are at home in the urban landscape. William H. Johnson developed his characteristic naïve style after encountering northern European folk art while living in Denmark and Norway with his wife, the Danish artist Holcha Krake. After returning to New York City in 1938, Johnson dedicated himself to the depiction of African Americans, "the painting of my people," with scenes of everyday life in Harlem and with tributes to past and contemporary community leaders and heroes.
Credit Line
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation
Date
ca. 1939-1942
Object number
1967.59.1094
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Type
Painting
Medium
tempera and pen and ink on paper
Dimensions
14 1/8 x 17 7/8 in. (36.0 x 45.4 cm)
See more items in
Smithsonian American Art Museum Collection
Department
Graphic Arts
Data Source
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Topic
Cityscape\New York\New York
Children
African American
Cityscape\river\North River
Architecture\boat\barge
Architecture Exterior\commercial\skyscraper
Link to Original Record
Record ID
saam_1967.59.1094