Preparing for Its Close-up: Flowers by William H. Johnson

Mary
April 11, 2012
Media - 1967.59.602 - SAAM-1967.59.602_2 - 133485
William H. Johnson, Flowers, 1939-1940, oil on plywood, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.602

Who doesn't like getting a personal letter in the mail? Some people get excited over coupons or magazines, but I enjoy receiving a letter hand addressed to me with a customized stamp. Well, there is now a new Forever® stamp, available from the United States Postal Service, which features a painting from the American Art Museum's collection. The artwork called, Flowers by William H. Johnson is now on view in the museum's 2nd floor galleries.

In preparation for its current display, the painting received a light cleaning and in-painting by Amber Kerr-Allison, paintings conservator for the American Art Museum. It is wonderful to see the painting in person (the paint looks like gobs of sugary cupcake frosting!), but if you do not get the chance, at least maybe it will be on the envelope of your next birthday card from your grandmother, aunt, or best friend.

Categories

Recent Posts

Hartigan standing in front of framed black and white photographs.
04/21/2026
The Smithsonian announced the appointment of Lynda Roscoe Hartigan as the Margaret and Terry Stent Director of the Smithsonian American Art Museum, effective September 8, 2026.
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Large-scale installation of corncob piñatas.
Gold-fringed walls and piñata corncobs transform the Grand Salon of SAAM's Renwick Gallery and highlight the role of maize in North American visual culture.
Headshot of woman with black hair
Rebekah Mejorado
Public Relations Specialist
Jane Carpenter-Rock standing in the Kogod Courtyard.
Acting Director Jane Carpenter-Rock on the inspiring collections at SAAM
Professional photo of Jane Carpenter-Rock
Jane Carpenter-Rock
Acting Director