Mrs. Abraham White, Jr. and Daughter Rose 1809

This is Joshua Johnson’s portrait, "Mrs. Abraham White, Jr. and Daughter Rose." Johnson was the first recognized professional African American painter in the United States during a period of immense social and racial stratification. Portraits like this one offer a glimpse into the intimate lives of affluent white families and reveal the gendered expectations of the time. Mrs. White is depicted in a manner meant to convey the wealth and status of her family through her dress and poised demeanor. The daughter holds strawberries, a symbol of innocence. Yet, it’s also a potent reminder of the artist's complex position. Johnson created images that upheld the social norms of his time while navigating his own identity as a Black man in a society defined by racial hierarchy. These portraits ask us to reflect on the stories that are told, and perhaps more importantly, the stories that are often left untold. What does it mean to see a Black artist creating portraits of white domesticity?