“Harlem Street” is a cityscape artwork created by William H. Johnson in 1941. This piece belongs to the Expressionism and Naïve Art (Primitivism) movements.
The artwork depicts a bustling urban scene, with a dynamic and vibrant portrayal of Harlem. The composition includes blocks of buildings adorned with vivid colors and bold outlines, which curve and tilt to create a sense of movement and energy. Pedestrians, strongly stylized in form, populate the street, contributing to the lively atmosphere. The artist’s use of exaggerated perspectives and simplified shapes enhances the expressive quality of the scene, capturing the essence of the urban experience with a naïve yet profound stylistic approach. The overall effect is one of a spirited and animated rendering of a Harlem street, embodying both the vibrancy of the community and the unique vision of the artist.
