The Saving

We know come to the a painting by William H. Johnson. He grew up in Florance and moves to Harlem in 1918. Growing up his main inspiration was Van Gogh. He died of medical complication in 1970.

The Saving one of William H. Johnson’s lesser-known Paintings depicts a baptism accruing in a river. It is also one of his most earliest painting and was made shortly before is fame became widely known. Like all of Johnson’s works it holds a strong use of color and depiction of pride and African American life turning this time. Johnson made over twenty-five painting and over hundred sketches that are on display in countless museums

In the painting we do see a baptism in session and this was a very common way of doing it in the African American communities during this time. It is depicting the strength they have in each other and the strength they have in their faith. “Strength in unity, unity through strength”. Out of the several themes that Johnson’s pictures portray this one particularly shows racial identification. The reason it shows racial identification is simple that with the bold use of white and blue in this peace he is making their skin color stand out.

William H. Johnson has a very interesting painting style witch in my opinion has a cookie cutter appearance. He tense to use bold colors to pull you in, combined with their simplistic drawing style, they make you think. They remind me of children’s storybook drawings but I think that’s what makes him such a great artist. It’s these simple forms and shapes that give his works such depth and meaning. With these simplicities they allows him to express bigger and more elaborate meanings.