Dark Portrait c. 1960

"Dark Portrait" is an oil painting by Lester Johnson that depicts a shadowy figure against a dark green backdrop. The artist uses impasto, a technique that applies thick layers of paint, to create a textured surface that draws the viewer's eye to the depth of the painting. Johnson's signature style emerges in the abstract rendering of a human form, highlighting the mystery of the subject. Created around 1960, "Dark Portrait" embodies the spirit of Abstract Expressionism, where the artist prioritizes personal expression over representation, leaving the meaning open to interpretation.