 Harriet Tubman, by William H. Johnson (USA) 1945 Harriet Tubman, by William H. Johnson (USA) 1945 Dear Mr. Johnson, what prompted the double sun rising & setting behind them - the two versions of Ms. Tubman, stoic in her sapphire coat? Engrossed, we stand in front of your painting for a long time, unraveling what stands out to us in terms of posture, criss-crossing color, patriotic undertones. We wonder why you chose that particular shotgun for Harriet to lean on, demonstrating her legacy of rizz, buffered by two suns - their countless dusks. Her gaze, it haunts us. Jennifer Pappas Yennie Jennifer Pappas Yennie is a California-based poet and teacher. Her poetry has appeared in a variety of literary journals and magazines including ZYZZYVA; The Ana; and Hole in the Head Review. She lives in Laguna Hills with her husband, two sons, and panther chameleon, Buster Scruggs.
2 Comments
Frank Mata
8/26/2025 02:02:06 pm
A timeline of her lifetime/life's work between dawn and dusk? To ponder, what was it all for? Multiple colors on the left to light and dark blue at the end of it all? Christian Cross in her bag to a black coat purposefully lower than the former, younger Harriet. How would Johnson paint her now if he saw what we've done to ourselves in spite of Tubman's legacy? :( Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
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