“Fright,” created by William H. Johnson in 1942, is a notable example of Naïve Art, also known as Primitivism, and falls within the genre painting category. The artwork exemplifies Johnson’s distinctive style and artistic approach prevalent during this period.
The artwork presents a vivid depiction of three figures against a light blue background using simplified forms and bold colors characteristic of Naïve Art. The central figure is adorned in a striped garment featuring green and black hues, holding a smaller child who is draped in white. To the left, there is a young girl dressed in pink, clutching her hands to her chest, conveying an expression that aligns with the title of the piece. Detailing in the figures is minimal yet expressive, with the large, wide-set eyes serving as a focal point for each character. To the right, a grocery bag with visible contents subtly contextualizes the scene within everyday life, enhancing the genre painting classification. The overall composition and style emphasize emotional and narrative elements over realistic depiction.
