New digital catalog dedicated to ‘overlooked’ block prints of famed S.C. artist

Danish researcher unveils project

Spread from The Block Prints of William H. Johnson. Provided image.

A newly completed digital catalogue is shedding fresh light on an overlooked aspect of the work of renowned African American artist William H. Johnson (1901–1970).

Compiled over several years of independent research, the catalogue is dedicated exclusively to Johnson’s rare block prints and graphic works, bringing together information that has never before been assembled in a single resource.

Best known for his vibrant paintings depicting African American life, Johnson also experimented with relief printing techniques during the 1930s and 1940s. These works remain far less studied than his paintings, making the catalogue an important contribution to scholarship on the artist and his artistic development.

The catalogue remains an ongoing research initiative. Collectors, institutions, galleries, and individuals with information regarding William H. Johnson’s block prints are warmly invited to contribute photographs, provenance records, exhibition histories, and related archival material to help further expand and refine this growing archive.

Contact the author

Josephine Rydeng (rydengjosephine@gmail.com)
Øbro Kunsthandel, Copenhagen
@j.l.rydeng on Instagram

“William H. Johnson’s block prints represent a fascinating and understudied chapter of his artistic career. My hope is that this catalogue will serve as a foundation for future research and help bring greater attention to these remarkable works.”