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Jitterbugs (II) by William H. Johnson / American Art
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Jitterbugs (II)

ca. 1941 William H. Johnson Born: Florence, South Carolina 1901 Died: Central Islip, New York 1970 oil on paperboard 24 x 15 3/8 in. (61.0 x 39.1 cm.) Smithsonian American Art Museum Gift of the Harmon Foundation 1967.59.611 Smithsonian American Art Museum
4th Floor, Luce Foundation Center



William H. Johnson created four paintings of the jitterbug, a dance craze that came out of Harlem and made its way into America's "swing" culture just before the Second World War. Here, the woman dips dramatically into the arms of her partner so that the two figures become one shape of contrasting colors and patterns. Sharp angles and spiraling patterns on the floor and walls emphasize the fast, athletic pace of skilled dance partners.

For more information about this work visit the Luce Foundation Center.


Keywords

Ethnic - African-American

Figure group

Object - musical instrument - trumpet

Recreation - dancing

painting

paint - oil

paperboard

About William H. Johnson

Born: Florence, South Carolina 1901 Died: Central Islip, New York 1970

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William H. Johnson

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