“New York Skyline at Night” is a 1943 artwork by William H. Johnson. Crafted in the Expressionism and Naïve Art (Primitivism) movements, this cityscape captures the essence of New York City through a unique and vivid lens.
The artwork portrays a stylized and simplified view of New York City’s skyline at night. Dominated by strong, bold colors, it features a prominent red sun against a backdrop of dark, purplish-blue buildings, which are rendered in a geometric, almost abstract manner. The foreground showcases a bridge with a pink hue that arches over green-tinted water. The use of basic shapes and a limited yet striking color palette creates a vivid contrast, embodying the artist’s emotive and primitive style. The simplification of forms and the choice of colors contribute to a dream-like, yet powerful depiction of the urban landscape, encapsulating the spirit and energy of the city that never sleeps.
