Still Life 1923

William H. Johnson painted this still life with oil on canvas, and it's a real beauty. The way he's built up the image, mark by mark, lets us see the process. It’s like he's thinking aloud with the paint. I love how the light catches on the rim of the ceramic plate and the handle of the mug. The paint is thick, almost sculptural in places, giving the objects a real weight and presence. Notice the way he's handled the folds of the cloth beneath the fruit. It’s not about perfect representation, but about capturing the essence of light and shadow. This approach connects Johnson to other painters like Morandi, who found endless inspiration in humble, everyday objects. "Still Life" is a reminder that art isn't about answers, but about opening up new ways of seeing and experiencing the world around us.