Fright 1942

"Fright" (1942) by William H. Johnson is a poignant depiction of a family in distress, painted in his signature bold, simplified style. The central figure, a woman with a striped shirt and a baby in her arms, appears overwhelmed and frightened. Her wide eyes and the exaggerated proportions of her body convey a sense of urgency and vulnerability. The young girl beside her, also with large eyes, seems to echo the woman's fear, making the viewer complicit in their shared anxiety. Johnson's work, particularly during this period, reflected his observations of African American life and the challenges of his time.