Going Out

William H. Johnson, Going Out, ca. 1939-1942, gouache, pen and ink and pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.1088
Copied William H. Johnson, Going Out, ca. 1939-1942, gouache, pen and ink and pencil on paper, sheet: 15 x 11 3⁄8 in. (38.0 x 28.8 cm) irregular, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.1088

Artwork Details

Title
Going Out
Artist
Date
ca. 1939-1942
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
sheet: 15 x 11 3⁄8 in. (38.0 x 28.8 cm) irregular
Credit Line
Gift of the Harmon Foundation
Mediums
Mediums Description
gouache, pen and ink and pencil on paper
Classifications
Subjects
  • Figure group — female
  • African American
Object Number
1967.59.1088
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1967.59.1088

Artwork Description

A mother and daughter, dressed to the nines, are ready for a night on the town, likely in Harlem. The mother is distinguished by her red beret, bright red lipstick, and high-heeled shoes, and the daughter by the bow in her hair, her white dress, and abstracted flowers. Johnson reveals a sense of humor in two flower forms that also suggest lollipops and breasts.

Graphic Masters II: Highlights from the Smithsonian American Art Museum, 2009