James Weldon Johnson 

Winold Reiss created this portrait of James Weldon Johnson using pastel and graphite. Reiss, a German-American artist, was deeply engaged with the Harlem Renaissance. This portrait exemplifies the visual codes of the era. Johnson, an intellectual, diplomat, and civil rights activist, is rendered with a sense of quiet dignity. The choice of an all-white suit is striking. In a time of segregation and racial prejudice, the color white could be read as a statement of defiance or aspiration, challenging existing social norms. The portrait embodies the spirit of the Harlem Renaissance, a cultural movement that sought to redefine Black identity and experience. To fully understand this piece, we need to delve into the social and institutional history of the time, exploring archives, literary sources, and cultural criticism. By placing art within its contingent contexts, we appreciate its historical significance.