Description
Joshua Johnson (1763–1824) is widely considered to be the first successful African–American painter in the United States and was active during the early 19th century. Johnson was born to a free black family in Annapolis, Maryland and underwent a traditional apprenticeship under a white painter named Charles Peale Polk. After this apprenticeship, Johnson began to set up his own painting business in Baltimore, Maryland, where he quickly became successful painting portraits of high–profile clients.
Johnson’s work was primarily composed of oil-on-canvas portraits which he painted in a style that was heavily influenced by the Neoclassical and Romantic movements. His works often featured images of prominent figures, such as wealthy businessmen, politicians, and military officers. Johnson also painted religious and genre scenes, as well as landscapes. The majority of Johnson’s works were created between the years of 1800 and 1824.
In addition to his successful painting career, Johnson also worked as a businessman and owned a successful framing business. Johnson’s work was highly sought after due to his skill and the high quality of his products. Johnson was also an active member of the black community in Baltimore and was involved in the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Joshua Johnson’s legacy has been honored in numerous ways. In 2018, a major retrospective of his works was held at the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, D.C. Johnson’s work has also been featured in many notable art collections, such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the National Gallery of Art. He is remembered as a pioneering African-American artist and a master of the portrait genre.
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