Athlete 1940

Editor: So, here we have William H. Johnson's "Athlete" from 1940, painted in oil. There's something very direct and a little melancholic about this portrait. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Well, immediately I’m drawn to how Johnson simplifies and amplifies the figure. Consider how the direct gaze and amplified features--those almost comical ears, the deliberate flattening of space, the subject's dress, a white athletic tank, are symbols and indicators of that time. They place him as an everyman and a new archetype emerging in Black communities. What cultural memory do you think the 'athlete' carries in the Black imagination? Editor: That's interesting. I hadn’t thought about him as an archetype. Maybe he symbolizes physical strength and resilience, especially in a time of struggle and segregation? Curator: Exactly. And what about the colors? That stark green background against the brown skin? Color here carries coded meanings: the green can signify vitality, growth, or even envy in the face of this man's perceived success. Then consider the checked trousers: does that signify urban, "everyman," style? Or does the checkered pattern signify, perhaps unintentionally, an idea about progress being slowed? The history here is multifaceted. Editor: It makes me think about the complexities of Black identity during the Harlem Renaissance and how Johnson's choices, while seemingly simple, reflect this. There's so much more here than meets the eye. Curator: Indeed. By stripping down the realism, Johnson amplifies the cultural weight and psychological presence of this figure. The image resonates with shared experiences and dreams. What’s most interesting for you, considering your own memories, and understanding, of what an “athlete” means? Editor: Reflecting on those symbols helps me see past the surface and connect with the deeper narratives within the artwork. I definitely learned a lot. Thanks. Curator: It has been an absolute pleasure to engage with the cultural significance of Johnson's "Athlete." Thanks for your curiosity.