The artwork titled “Get the War Going,” created by the artist William H. Johnson in 1942, is a notable piece categorized under the genres of Naïve Art (Primitivism) and Social Realism. As a battle painting within these art movements, the piece vividly encapsulates themes relevant to its time of creation.
“Get the War Going” depicts a dynamic wartime scene featuring a group of soldiers actively engaged in combat. The soldiers, donning military uniforms and helmets, congregate around a field artillery piece. They are portrayed in various stances—some emerging from tall grasses, others positioning behind the cannon—suggesting coordinated movements amidst a chaotic environment. The artist’s use of bold outlines and a simplified, flat perspective characteristic of Naïve Art heightens the visual impact. The soldiers’ expressions and postures, depicted in earthy and muted tones with splashes of bright colors, evoke a sense of urgency and determination. The backdrop, comprised of abstracted, undulating landscapes and dimly lit skies, emphasizes the somber mood of the battlefield, underscoring the grim realities of war.
