The Westwood Children 1807

Editor: Here we have Joshua Johnson's "The Westwood Children," created in 1807. It's an oil painting depicting three children, rather stiffly posed, and a dog with a bird. There's something both charming and unsettling about the composition... What strikes you most when you look at this painting? Curator: It’s fascinating to consider this work through the lens of early American portraiture, especially regarding race and representation. Joshua Johnson was the first African-American professional painter in the United States, a remarkable feat considering the pervasive racism of the period. Looking at these children, do you consider how their very representation in a painting signifies privilege? Editor: Definitely. Knowing about Johnson’s background, it’s impossible to ignore the power dynamics at play. He's painting wealthy, white children in a society that systematically oppressed Black people. Was he making a statement, or was it simply a job? Curator: That's the crucial question, isn't it? Was he subverting the genre from within? The children are presented with markers of wealth – their clothing, the flowers, even the dog signifies leisure. I think Johnson may have been making strategic decisions to ensure commissions, whilst subtly challenging prevailing racial and social hierarchies. Do you see a possible critique embedded within the composition itself? Editor: It’s subtle, if it’s there. Perhaps in the almost unnatural stillness? They don't seem like happy children, more like possessions on display. Maybe that’s Johnson’s quiet commentary on the lives of the privileged. Curator: Exactly! Their formality contrasts sharply with the idea of childhood innocence we might expect. This painting is rich in historical context that compels us to engage in conversations about class, race and power structures in early America. Editor: It's incredible how much more there is to unpack once you start looking at it through that lens. It goes beyond just being a portrait of children from the 19th century.