William H. Johnson
William H. Johnson (American, 1901-1970)
Moving to Harlem in 1918, Johnson trained at the NAD before studying in Paris (1926-29) on a Harmon Foundation scholarship. In Denmark in the 1930s, he was influenced by European expressionism and Scandinavian folk art. Returning to NYC in 1938, Johnson combined an interest in African American daily life with folk stylization, creating a unique figurative style typified by bright colors, expressive patterns, bold outlines, and flat shapes. Hospitalized in 1947, he stopped painting in 1956.
Important Source Material:
Powell, Richard. Homecoming: The Art and Life of William H. Johnson. New York: Rizzoli International Publications, 1991.
Turner, Steve & Victoria Dailey. William H. Johnson: Truth Be Told. Los Angeles: Seven Arts Publishing, 1998.
NHS