The artwork “Fruit Trees and Mountains,” created by William H. Johnson in 1938, is an exemplary piece of the Expressionist art movement. Categorized under the landscape genre, this painting encapsulates the vibrant and emotive style characteristic of Expressionism.
In the artwork, a vivid and dynamic composition is presented through the use of bold, sweeping brushstrokes and a rich palette of colors. The foreground features fruit trees, their foliage rendered in a mix of greens, whites, pinks, and yellows, capturing the vitality and lushness of nature. The middle ground is dominated by a striking formation of mountains, depicted with intense dark blues and deep greens, which contrast sharply with the lighter colors of the sky and trees. The sky above is painted with swirling patterns and shades of blue, yellow, and hints of other pastels, evoking a sense of movement and depth. The overall dynamism and contrast in color effectively convey an emotionally charged and expressive scene, characteristic of Johnson’s style within the Expressionist movement.
