Going to Church 1941

William H. Johnson, born in South Carolina, painted 'Going to Church' using oil on board. This piece is part of his series depicting the lives of African Americans in the rural South. Johnson’s work emerged from the Harlem Renaissance, a movement which saw black artists seeking to reclaim their heritage and challenge racial stereotypes. The figures in the painting are rendered in a deliberately naive style, perhaps reflecting Johnson’s desire to represent the unvarnished truth of everyday life. There is an emphasis on community and faith, cornerstones of rural African American life. The bright colors evoke a sense of joy, yet the figures' solemn expressions hint at the hardships they faced in a segregated society. Johnson once said "I want my work to express the thoughts and feelings of the Negro people.” His work speaks to the resilience, spirituality, and cultural richness of a community navigating a landscape marked by both beauty and adversity.