An artwork on Galleree from Minneapolis Institute of Art.
About the artwork
Portrait of Richard John Cockc. 1817
Artist: Joshua Johnson
American, c. 1763 - c. 1824
exterior garden scene; boy in green suit with lace collar and brass buttons is holding bow and arrow and pointing to a yellow moth in a rose bush; stormy sky ULC
26 1/4 × 19 3/8 in. (66.68 × 49.21 cm) (sight)
29 5/16 × 22 3/8 in. (74.45 × 56.83 cm)
Oil on canvas
Painting
United States
19th century
Gift of Sam and Patty McCullough in loving memory of their son, Evan
In the heart of early 19th century Baltimore, a unique story began to unfold—a tale not only of artistry but one of resilience and profound human connection. Amidst the bustling streets and the whispers of a populace grappling with the complexities of a changing world, there lived a man named Joshua Johnson. He was significant, not just as a painter but as the earliest documented professional Black portrait artist in the United States—a trailblazer with a brush in hand and an indomitable spirit.
With each stroke, Johnson painted life and death, joy and sorrow. His journey as a freedman was marked by talent that blossomed in adversity. Johnson attracted the elite of society with a boldly written advertisement in the local newspaper that proclaimed him a “self-taught genius,” inspired by the gentle embrace of nature. Politicians, clergymen, doctors, and merchants all sought his talent, drawn not only to his skill but to the heart that lay behind each canvas.
Among his most tender works are the portraits that hold the weight of loss. Johnson had a remarkable ability to capture the essence of those who had left too soon, providing solace to grieving families. One of these masterpieces tells the story of a young boy named Richard John Cock, who took his last breath at the fragile age of nine in the year 1817.
In this poignant full-length portrait, young Richard stands amidst a flourishing garden, a paradise of vibrant colors and sweet-scented roses that dance gently in a warm breeze. He points toward a delicate moth fluttering nearby, its wings dancing through the air, hinting at meanings that intertwine with human existence. This tiny creature, with its transient life cycle, carries the weight of profound symbolism—a whisper of hope in the face of despair, a reminder of rebirth, regeneration, and the unfathomable changes life bestows upon us.
As we gaze upon this painting, we find ourselves enveloped in a serene moment. Here stands Richard, forever captured in the innocence of childhood and the beauty of nature—an eternal reminder that while life may be fleeting, the stories we weave through our artwork can transcend time, touching hearts and souls for generations to come.
About the artist
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