Milford Still Life - Lester Johnson

A dynamic still life by American artist Lester Johnson, featuring bold black outlines and a monochromatic green palette.

Lester Johnson, a figure associated with the New York School, developed a distinct approach to the canvas that prioritised gesture and physical presence. In this work, the artist presents a still life arrangement upon a pedestal table, rendered with a raw, immediate application of paint. The composition is dominated by a monochromatic palette of greens, ranging from deep, dark tones to lighter, more luminous hues.

Johnson employs heavy, calligraphic black outlines to define the forms of bottles, a pitcher, and other vessels. These lines do not merely contain the colour; they act as independent marks that energise the surface. The paint is applied with a sense of urgency, featuring visible drips and splatters that suggest the physical process of creation. The background is divided into two distinct horizontal zones, creating a shallow, compressed space that pushes the objects toward the viewer.

Unlike the more ethereal or purely non-objective works of his contemporaries, Johnson maintains a connection to the physical world through these recognisable, albeit distorted, domestic objects. The table itself is depicted with a sturdy, almost architectural quality, its legs splayed to anchor the composition. The overall effect is one of controlled chaos, where the artist balances the representation of everyday items with a focus on the tactile qualities of oil paint. This piece reflects the mid-century American interest in the expressive potential of the brushstroke, moving away from the precision of earlier modernism toward a more visceral, direct engagement with the medium. The work remains a clear example of Johnson's ability to transform mundane subjects into dynamic, rhythmic arrangements through his signature use of heavy impasto and bold, sweeping lines.