William H. Johnson (1901-1970) was one of the great American artists of the 20th century. Known primarily for his majestic Scandinavian landscapes and his witty and poignant scenes of African American daily life, Johnson has made an indelible impact on American art. Yet he is one of those rare artists whose influence can be felt beyond his art, for his life story has elements of a purely American drama which inspires and encourages anyone familiar with it. Johnson, an African American from the rural South, overcame poverty, racial prejudice and a grade-school education to become one of the country’s leading artists. Through the force of his personality and with a steadfast belief in himself, Johnson created an art entirely his
own, original and fresh.