William H. Johnson (1901 – 1970) painted his Fighters for Freedom series in the mid-1940s as a tribute to African American activists, scientists, teachers, and performers as well as international leaders working to bring peace to the world. He celebrated their accomplishments even as he acknowledged the realities of racism, violence, and oppression they faced and overcame. Johnson reminds us that individual achievement and commitment to social justice are at the heart of the American story.
Check out the “Fighters for Freedom” exhibition at the Smithsonian American Art Museum until September 8, 2024. For more information, visit americanart.si.edu.