Lester Johnson - Untitled (February 26, 1974) Signed Mixed Media on Paper

An Expressive figurative composition by American artist Lester Johnson depicting four stylized seated figures rendered in sweeping gestural lines and layered washes of color. Signed lower right. Dated February 26, 1974, the work retains labels and invoice documentation from the Donald Morris Gallery, Birmingham, Michigan. The composition features bold contouring, painterly textures, and a vivid palette of warm reds, blues, and greens. Executed in mixed media including pastel, acrylic, and charcoal, the work exemplifies Johnson’s energetic draftsmanship and psychologically charged figuration associated with postwar American Expressionism.Provenance: From a private collection in Birmingham, Michigan. Previously acquired from Donald Morris Gallery in 1990. Dimensions: 29.5”h x 41”w x 2”d (framed). In very good condition. Full condition report available upon request.Lester Johnson (1919-2010) was a prominent figure in postwar American art, celebrated for his expressive figurative paintings that bridged Abstract Expressionism and modern figuration. Over a career spanning more than five decades, Johnson exhibited widely in New York and internationally, earning acclaim for his energetic compositions and psychologically charged imagery. His work is held in the permanent collections of major institutions including the Museum of Modern Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, and the Brooklyn Museum. Johnson was also the recipient of numerous honors and fellowships, cementing his reputation as an influential voice in 20th-century American painting.

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