Joshua Johnson artist, America's first black commercial artist (1763-1824), Maryland
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- čas přidán 11. 09. 2024
- Joshua Johnson artist, America's first black commercial artist (1763-1824), Maryland
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Joshua Johnson was an active painter in Maryland and Virginia from roughly the 1790s to 1825, but he’d been completely forgotten about until 1939.
That was when the Baltimore genealogist and art historian J. Hall Pleasants realised 13 paintings were painted by Johnson and he began reconstructing his career through scraps of information, which were often contradictory. Even the artist’s last name is uncertain, and art historians still debate about whether it was spelled “Johnson” or “Johnston.”
There were questions about Johnson's race, the dates he lived and his last name up until the mid-1990s, when manuscripts about his life were discovered and released by the Maryland Historical Society.
Although much of Johnson’s history remains mysterious, his place as the first black commercial artist to work in the US in art history is undeniable. The next renowned African American artists to emerge in the United States were Robert S. Duncanson and Henry Ossawa Tanner and they were about 50 years after him.
Johnson earned his freedom in 1782 after completing an apprenticeship with a Baltimore blacksmith named William Forepaw.
For an art historical point of view, Johnson’s portraits are very similar to the Peele family’s paintings compositionally. Charles Willson Peale, Charles Peale Polk, and Rembrandt Peale were all part of a family of artists who worked throughout the East Coast.
The similarities in poses, costumes, and technique have led some art historians to believe Johnson had some connection with the Peales. Others think this was really unlikely - he might have seen their paintings and admired them or it could be just sheer coincidence.
Here are some links for more information about Johnson's life.
americanart.si...
www.artsy.net/...
www.nga.gov/co...
Wow...... thank you for this video.... I just found out about him today after reading this book "The Negro in Art" .....bought the hardcover on Amazon for $47.... and when I got it in the mail I decided to go back to Amazon to check on something and the book went up to $500.... I was like ...i struck gold!!!!!! Lol!!!
Gracias Georgina... excelente video
Excellent in depth examination
What a fascinating character. Well done for bringing him to our notice.
Thanks meathrin!
Thank you so much for shedding light on this inspiring and intriguing man! What amazing talent and fortitude he must have possessed to overcome those unspeakably deplorable life circumstances and succeed as an artist in those times. As a biracial American, it is heartbreaking to think that many other artists like Mr. Johnson have been lost to history because of racism and concerted efforts to minimize/disregard their achievements. Even more tragic is that we are unable to fully assess and celebrate their contributions to American society. I am binge watching your videos! You are such an awesome educator/storyteller! 🤗
Aww thank you very much! I know, sounds like he had a terrible life but it was total testament to his talent and entrepreneurial spirit that he managed to become a commercial portrait artist. Thank you, please let me know if there's anyone you think I should make a video about 😄
Thanks for this video-- I live in Baltimore and didn't know much about him. I just saw that the Baltimore Museum of Art has one of his paintings-- when it opens back up, I'd like to go see it!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Can you do a feature on Duncanson and Tanner as well please?
Excellent and insightful analysis - thank you so much I'll be introducing you, ArtHistoryGirl and Johnson to my @ImageOfTheBlack audiences.
Thank you for this! I don't remember reading much, if anything, about Joshua Johnson. This is just what we need to learn about, and celebrate. I hope someday more is learned about this unique artist, and his place in our dark, painful history.
Thank you, yes I thought he was quite extraordinary! There's not too much documentation sadly but he's definitely got a distinctive style!
Not slaves ”enslaved people” Hon 💛