Johnson was born in New York City and studied for a period with the Hudson River School artist Jasper Francis Cropsey. Along with John Frederick Kensett he was best known for the development of “Luminism,” an offshoot of the Hudson River style characterized by emphasizing the effects of light in a landscape through the concealing of visible brushstrokes. Luminist landscapes emphasize tranquility, often depicting calm, reflective water and a soft, hazy sky. Johnson’s signature works are usually small in format, tightly painted, delicately handled and richly colored. Based on copious preliminary drawings and studies of specific trees in their natural environment, his paintings are accurate and inviting representations of Northeastern scenery and exquisite examples of the Luminist style.
