David Johnson

David Johnson was an American artist whose documented period of activity spanned from 1827 through 1860. His surviving works are concentrated primarily on the American landscape, often focusing on subjects derived from the White Mountains and the Hudson River region. His detailed renderings of natural topography and specific botanical studies place his practice within the evolving landscape tradition of the mid-nineteenth century.

The body of work represented in major American collections comprises eleven pieces: 8 drawings, 2 paintings, and 1 photograph. His commitment to observational study is best illustrated by his detailed drawings, including the extensive Sketchbook of White Mountains and Hudson River Subjects, which contains focused pieces such as the Study of a Fallen Tree and the meticulous Pine Tree, Conway, New Hampshire (recto). The high-quality prints and original materials demonstrate a careful methodology vital for documenting the American wilderness during this period.

Johnson's work is preserved in several prominent institutions, establishing its museum-quality relevance to American art history. Key repositories include the National Gallery of Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Art Institute of Chicago. Due to the age of the original artifacts, many of these David Johnson paintings and studies are now considered part of the public domain, allowing for greater accessibility to researchers seeking downloadable artwork and reference materials.