Boy’s Sunday Trip

William H. Johnson, Boy's Sunday Trip, ca. 1939-1942, tempera and pen and ink on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.1094
William H. Johnson, Boy's Sunday Trip, ca. 1939-1942, tempera and pen and ink on paper, 14 1817 78 in. (36.045.4 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.1094

Artwork Details

Title
Boy’s Sunday Trip
Date
ca. 1939-1942
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
14 1817 78 in. (36.045.4 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of the Harmon Foundation
Mediums
Mediums Description
tempera and pen and ink on paper
Classifications
Subjects
  • Cityscape — New York — New York
  • Architecture Exterior — commercial — skyscraper
  • Children
  • African American
  • Cityscape — river — North River
  • Architecture — boat — barge
Object Number
1967.59.1094

Artwork Description

Posed before river barges and Lower Manhattan's iconic skyline, this dapper troop of African American schoolboys are at home in the urban landscape. William H. Johnson developed his characteristic naïve style after encountering northern European folk art while living in Denmark and Norway with his wife, the Danish artist Holcha Krake. After returning to New York City in 1938, Johnson dedicated himself to the depiction of African Americans, "the painting of my people," with scenes of everyday life in Harlem and with tributes to past and contemporary community leaders and heroes.

Works by this artist (1036 items)

William H. Johnson, The Breakdown, ca. 1940-1941, oil on plywood, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.589
The Breakdown
Dateca. 1940-1941
oil on plywood
On view
William H. Johnson, For India and China, ca. 1944-1945, oil on paperboard, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.662
For India and China
Dateca. 1944-1945
oil on paperboard
On view
William H. Johnson, Sun Setting, Denmark, ca. 1930, oil on burlap, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.720
Sun Setting, Denmark
Dateca. 1930
oil on burlap
On view
William H. Johnson, Young Pastry Cook, ca. 1928-1930, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.693
Young Pastry Cook
Dateca. 1928-1930
oil on canvas
On view

More Artworks from the Collection

Claire Falkenstein, City is Man, 1941-1952, linocut, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of The Falkenstein Foundation, 2019.27.14, ©1997, The Falkenstein Foundation
City is Man
Date1941-1952
linocut
Not on view
Claire Falkenstein, Untitled, 1976, embossed paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of The Falkenstein Foundation, 2019.27.18, ©1997, The Falkenstein Foundation
Untitled
Date1976
embossed paper
Not on view
Claire Falkenstein, Mandala, 1977, lithograph, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of The Falkenstein Foundation, 2019.27.19, ©1997, The Falkenstein Foundation
Mandala
Date1977
lithograph
Not on view
Nathan Oliveira, Site with Blue and White, 1978, monotype, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Moses Lasky, 2004.32.14
Site with Blue and White
Date1978
monotype
Not on view