John Johnson (1879–1953) was an American photographer known for his photography of African Americans in Lincoln, Nebraska which contributed to the Harlem Renaissance.
Life edit
Johnson was born in Lincoln, Nebraska, in 1879, to Harriet and Margaret Johnson. His parents were escaped slaves and his father was a civil war veteran.[1] He graduated from Lincoln High in 1899 and studied at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. He played football for the school but never graduated. Afterward, he worked as a janitor[2] and a drayman before beginning his photography career. Johnson married Odessa Prince in 1819; the couple had no children. Johnson died in 1953.
Photography edit
Johnson's photography career started in 1910 and ended around 1926.[3] He took photos in cities throughout the Midwest, such as Kansas City, Missouri; Omaha, Nebraska; and Lincoln, Nebraska, his hometown.[4] His black and white photographs were noted for their great contrast and natural lighting. His photos were often family portraits with subjects in their homes, on their porches, or outside their homes.[5] He captured over 500 photographs.[6] He also made many glass plate negatives of buildings, parades, and Black family portraits. Unlike his contemporaries, Johnson did not capture Black subjects as poor or inferior.[7] He typically portrayed Black families as well-educated and proud by photographing them well-dressed and posed confidently.
Legacy edit
Johnson's photos contributed to the Harlem Renaissance.[8] By portraying dignified Black Americans, Johnson encouraged their confidence and self-expression. Johnson's work is some of the movement's earliest contributions.
Johnson's work was largely forgotten until historians found some of Johnson's glass negatives in 1999. After reading an article about the negatives, Douglas Keister connected them to his collection of negatives he bought at a garage sale.[9] Originally, historians thought the work was photographed by Earl McWilliams, a photography assistant at a studio in Lincoln. However, after talking to an elderly woman in Lincoln, they determined the photographer to be Johnson. Johnson's work has been displayed in museums such as the National Museum of African American History and Culture and the Museum of Nebraska Art.[10]
Exhibitions edit
- A Greater Spectrum: African American Artists of Nebraska 1912–2010, on view at the Museum of Nebraska Art from December 4, 2010 to April 3, 2011.[11]
- Black and White in Black and White exhibit, on view at the Greeley History Museum from February 17 to May 28th, 2022.[12]
- Recovered Views-African American Portraits 1912–1925, on view at Grimshaw-Gudewicz Art Gallery from September 1 to October 5, 2006[13]
- Recovered Views: African-American Portraits, 1912–1925, on view at SUNY Fredonia from March 31 to April 25, 2008.[14]
References edit
- ^ "Johnson's photos recorded history of local Black community". news.unl.edu. 2023-02-09. Archived from the original on 2024-04-22. Retrieved 2024-04-22.
- ^ "Personal Historical: Hundred-Year-Old Photos Help Tell Story of Nebraska's Black History". Nebraska Public Media. Archived from the original on 2024-04-22. Retrieved 2024-04-22.
- ^ "Black & White in Black & White: The Story of Lincoln's Long-Forgotten Photographer of the African-American Community". Downtown Lincoln. Archived from the original on 2024-04-22. Retrieved 2024-04-22.
- ^ Joel, Madeleine (2020-12-09). "John Johnson (1879–1953) and Earl McWiliams (?-?) •". Archived from the original on 2024-04-22. Retrieved 2024-04-22.
- ^ "Lincoln through John's eyes". The Clocktower. 2023-02-22. Archived from the original on 2024-04-22. Retrieved 2024-04-22.
- ^ Correspondent, Mandy Feder-Sawyer | (2018-09-06). "Dignity, hope and diversity in black and white photos". Chico Enterprise-Record. Archived from the original on 2024-04-22. Retrieved 2024-04-22.
- ^ "Black and White". Historical and Cultural Society of Clay County. Archived from the original on 2023-12-07. Retrieved 2024-04-22.
- ^ Haack, Emily (2021-03-12). "Resilience in Black and White - Lincoln TeamMates". lincolnteammates.org. Archived from the original on 2024-04-22. Retrieved 2024-04-22.
- ^ Magazine, Smithsonian; Stromberg, Joseph. "Lost and Found Again: Photos of African-Americans on the Plains". Smithsonian Magazine. Archived from the original on 2024-02-25. Retrieved 2024-04-22.
- ^ "Great Plains photographer John Johnson's lasting impact on the portrayal of African Americans in media". KUNC. Archived from the original on 2023-05-30. Retrieved 2024-04-22.
- ^ Kearney, dpi graphics, University of Nebraska at (2015-06-30). "John Johnson (1879–1953) | MONA". Archived from the original on 2024-04-21. Retrieved 2024-04-22.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Kuhn, Jonson (2022-02-01). ""Black and White in Black and White" Exhibit Opening at Greeley History Museum". North Forty News. Archived from the original on 2024-04-22. Retrieved 2024-04-22.
- ^ "Grimshaw-Gudewicz Art Gallery | Exhibitions: Past | Recovered Views". bristolcc.edu. Archived from the original on 2022-05-18. Retrieved 2024-04-22.
- ^ "Historic African-American photos shown in library | Fredonia.edu". www.fredonia.edu. Archived from the original on 2024-04-23. Retrieved 2024-04-22.