Marian Anderson 1945

William H. Johnson made this painting of Marian Anderson using oil on canvas, though the date is unknown. I’m drawn to how Johnson approaches his mark-making, especially his use of color. It feels immediate, raw, and deeply felt. You can almost see him figuring it out as he goes. The texture in this piece is really something. Johnson doesn't seem interested in hiding his process. The paint looks thick in places, almost like he’s building up these little monuments with each stroke. Take a look at Marian Anderson’s yellow dress. The way he's built up the color suggests the folds and movement of fabric, but it's also just paint, pure and simple. This tension between representation and abstraction is what makes the painting so dynamic. Johnson’s work reminds me of Bob Thompson, another artist who wasn't afraid to use bold colors and flatten perspective. Both artists remind us that painting is not about perfect representation, but about feeling, gesture, and the messy, beautiful process of making something new.