How John Wilson’s etchings captured the struggle for justice
Explore The Richard Wright Suite, a collection of six powerful prints illustrating a 1938 novella. This video features Professor James Manigault-Bryant examining how artist John Wilson used his work to respond to racial and social turbulence.
The video provides a detailed look at The Richard Wright Suite, a series of etchings with aquatint that illustrate the story "Down by the Riverside" from the 1938 novella, Uncle Tom's Children. Through these works, we see how Wilson's art engaged with the Civil Rights Movement, labor, and racial violence.
As part of the exhibition Witnessing Humanity: The Art of John Wilson, the presentation highlights the legacy of the American artist (1922–2015). The exhibition, which runs through February 8, 2026, is the largest of its kind and Wilson's first solo museum show in New York, showcasing over 100 pieces that reflect his quest for economic and social justice.
Source: Witnessing Humanity: The Art of John Wilson—The Richard Wright Suite | Met Exhibitions
