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
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
  • African American
  • Figure group — female
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

Works by this artist (1036 items)

View all artworks
William H. Johnson, Portrait of a Man, ca. 1935-1938, oil on burlap, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.814
Portrait of a Man
Artist
Dateca. 1935-1938
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
Artist
Dateca. 1928-1930
oil on canvas
On view
William H. Johnson, Soldiers Training, ca. 1942, oil on plywood, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.582
Soldiers Training
Artist
Dateca. 1942
oil on plywood
On view
William H. Johnson, Ferry Boat Trip, ca. 1943-1944, oil on paperboard, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.1011
Ferry Boat Trip
Artist
Dateca. 1943-1944
oil on paperboard
On view

More Artworks from the Collection

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William H. Johnson, Study for War Voyage, ca. 1942-1943, gouache and pen and ink with pencil on paperboard, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.137
Study for War Voyage
Artist
Dateca. 1942-1943
gouache and pen and ink with pencil on paperboard
Not on view
William H. Johnson, Killed in Action, ca. 1942, gouache, pen and ink, and pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.144
Killed in Action
Artist
Dateca. 1942
gouache, pen and ink, and pencil on paper
Not on view
Arthur Dove, Untitled (Centerport), 1941, watercolor, gouache, ink and pencil on paper mounted on paperboard, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Sara Roby Foundation, 1993.22.2
Untitled (Centerport)
Artist
Date1941
watercolor, gouache, ink and pencil on paper mounted on paperboard
Not on view
Raymond Redell, Figure Composition, ca. 1930-1939, watercolor, india ink, gouache and pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Olin Dows, 1983.90.154
Figure Composition
Artist
Dateca. 1930-1939
watercolor, india ink, gouache and pencil on paper
Not on view