The artwork, titled “Harriet Tubman” and crafted by artist William H. Johnson in 1945, belongs to the genres of Expressionism and Naïve Art (Primitivism). It is further classified under the genre of history painting.
In the artwork, Harriet Tubman is depicted standing prominently in the foreground against a vibrant and expressive landscape. She is adorned in a blue coat and an orange headscarf, symbolizing her resilience and leadership. The background showcases an array of vivid colors and dynamic lines, likely representing the fields and paths she once traversed. Sunsets and a star-lit sky dominate the horizon, suggesting the journey towards freedom and hope. In the bottom right, a smaller portrait of Tubman with a yellow headscarf is present, possibly representing differing phases or aspects of her life. The simplified forms and striking colors reflect the Naïve Art style, while the emotional intensity and bold composition are characteristic of Expressionism.
