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Going to Church by William H. Johnson / American Art
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Going to Church

ca. 1940-1941 William H. Johnson Born: Florence, South Carolina 1901 Died: Central Islip, New York 1970 oil on burlap 38 1/8 x 45 3/8 in. (96.8 x 115.4 cm) Smithsonian American Art Museum Gift of the Harmon Foundation 1967.59.1003 Smithsonian American Art Museum
4th Floor, Luce Foundation Center



William H. Johnson painted rural scenes inspired in part by his memories of growing up in South Carolina. A family of four ride on an oxcart toward a distant hill, where three crosses mark their physical destination as well as their spiritual home on Calvary. The flat composition, comprised of clashing hues arranged in stripes and color blocks, recalls the story quilts made of scraps pieced together by African American women.

For more information about this work visit the Luce Foundation Center.


Keywords

Animal - cattle

Architecture - religious - church

Ethnic - African-American

Figure group

Travel - land - cart

painting

paint - oil

fabric - burlap

About William H. Johnson

Born: Florence, South Carolina 1901 Died: Central Islip, New York 1970

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William H. Johnson

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