Underground Railroad 1945

William H. Johnson's painting is made with simple, but expressive brushstrokes using a palette of earthy tones punctuated by vibrant pops of yellow, red, and pink. I imagine the artist building up the composition intuitively, layering figures and motifs in a way that feels both carefully planned and wonderfully spontaneous. I wonder what Johnson was thinking as he painted? He’s creating these stark faces amidst scenes of struggle and escape. Look at how he simplifies the forms, reducing each figure to its essential elements. There’s a raw, almost childlike quality to the work. This adds to the emotional impact, making the historical subject matter feel immediate and personal. The texture of the paint is rough and unrefined, giving the painting a tactile, almost folk-art quality. See the expressive brushstrokes around the eyes of the figures and how that can communicate fear, sadness, or hope. Johnson’s work reminds us that painting is a conversation across time, as artists inspire each other's creativity. This piece is less about representing a literal event and more about capturing the spirit of resilience and resistance. It embraces ambiguity, inviting us to contemplate the complexities of history.