Jitterbugs (II)

William H. Johnson, Jitterbugs (II), ca. 1941, oil on paperboard, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.611
William H. Johnson, Jitterbugs (II), ca. 1941, oil on paperboard, 24 x 15 3⁄8 in. (61.0 x 39.1 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.611

Artwork Details

Title
Jitterbugs (II)
Artist
Date
ca. 1941
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
24 x 15 3⁄8 in. (61.0 x 39.1 cm.)
Credit Line
Gift of the Harmon Foundation
Mediums
Mediums Description
oil on paperboard
Classifications
Subjects
  • Figure group
  • African American
  • Recreation — dancing
  • Object — musical instrument — trumpet
Object Number
1967.59.611
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1967.59.611

Artwork Description

William H. Johnson created four paintings of the jitterbug, a dance craze that came out of Harlem and made its way into America's "swing" culture just before the Second World War. Here, the woman dips dramatically into the arms of her partner so that the two figures become one shape of contrasting colors and patterns. Sharp angles and spiraling patterns on the floor and walls emphasize the fast, athletic pace of skilled dance partners.

Works by this artist (100 items)

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Abbott Handerson Thayer, C. Morgan McIlhenney, Nantucket Sand Dune, ca. 1890, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Milton Horn, 1981.62
Nantucket Sand Dune
Artist
Dateca. 1890
oil on canvas
On view
Abbott Handerson Thayer, Sunrise or Sunset, study for book, Concealing Coloration in the Animal Kingdom, ca. 1905-1909, oil on wood, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the heirs of Abbott Handerson Thayer, 1950.2.1
Sunrise or Sunset, study for book, Concealing Coloration in…
Artist
Dateca. 1905-1909
oil on wood
On view
Abbott Handerson Thayer, Portrait of a Lady (Mrs. William B. Cabot), 1900-1902, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of John Gellatly, 1929.6.124
Portrait of a Lady (Mrs. William B. Cabot)
Artist
Date1900-1902
oil on canvas
On view
Abbott Handerson Thayer, Angel, 1887, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of John Gellatly, 1929.6.112
Angel
Artist
Date1887
oil on canvas
On view

More Artworks from the Collection

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William H. Johnson, Volda Fjord, Norway, ca. 1935-1937, tempera and pen and ink on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.895
Volda Fjord, Norway
Artist
Dateca. 1935-1937
tempera and pen and ink on paper
Not on view
William H. Johnson, Farewell, ca. 1942, tempera and pen and ink with pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.1070R-V
Farewell
Artist
Dateca. 1942
tempera and pen and ink with pencil on paper
Not on view
William H. Johnson, Training for War, ca. 1942, tempera and pen and ink on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.1059
Training for War
Artist
Dateca. 1942
tempera and pen and ink on paper
Not on view
Image Not Available
Soap Box Racing
Artist
Dateca. 1939-1942
tempera and pen and ink with pencil on paper
Not on view