Joshua Johnson's "The Westwood Children" Postage Stamps (Four Centuries of American Art Series, Siblings, Wedding) Vintage Unused USPS Postage 32c

These vintage unused postage stamps will evoke a touch of whimsy and add personality to your mailings!

STAMP INFORMATION:

• Name: Joshua Johnson’s “The Westwood Children"
• Series: Four Centuries Of American Art
• Year Issued: 1998
• Face Value: 32 cents each (USD)
• Topic(s): Fine Art, Folk Art, American Artists, Paintings, Portrait, Children, Siblings, African American Artist, Black Painter
• Color(s): Multicolored, Blue
• Printing Method: Photogravure
• Adhesion Type: Gummed
• Condition: Genuine Unused USPS Postage Stamps, Ready to Use for USPS Mailings, Mint Condition

STAMP HISTORY: This postage stamp featuring Joshua Johnson’s painting The Westwood Children (c. 1807) is part of the Four Centuries of American Art series. Johnson, considered the first known African American professional painter, was active in Baltimore in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. His work is significant for its refined, yet personal style of portraiture. The Westwood Children is a charming portrait of three young siblings from the Westwood family, dressed in fine early 19th-century attire. The children are depicted in a formal yet intimate setting, with a sense of innocence and elegance. The painting features the children arranged in a balanced composition, with one holding a flower and another possibly gesturing or interacting in a naturalistic way. This adds warmth to the otherwise traditional portrait style. Johnson’s work is characterized by soft yet precise facial features, a smooth, detailed depiction of clothing, and a flat but rich color palette. His style reflects influences from both European portrait traditions and American folk art. This United States Postal Service (USPS) postage stamp captures the delicate details of Johnson’s painting, preserving its historical and artistic value.

Johnson was a self-taught artist, possibly a formerly enslaved man who gained recognition for his portraits of Baltimore’s elite families. His success as a Black artist in early America is a testament to perseverance and talent in a time of social barriers. The portrait highlights themes of familial love, youth, and legacy, reflecting the period’s values regarding lineage and social status. The inclusion of Johnson’s work in the USPS series acknowledges the contributions of African American artists to American culture, helping to bring wider recognition to historically underrepresented figures in the art world. This stamp serves as both a tribute to Johnson’s artistic legacy and a celebration of early American portraiture, offering a glimpse into the lives and aesthetics of the time.

STAMP MEANING & SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE: Joshua Johnson’s The Westwood Children carries deep spiritual significance, reflecting themes of innocence, unity, resilience, and the enduring power of artistic expression. It captures the essence of childhood—innocence, purity, and the unspoiled nature of youth. In many spiritual traditions, children are seen as symbols of divine grace, reminding us of the virtues of humility, curiosity, and openness to the world. Their serene expressions and poised demeanor suggest a sense of harmony and peace. The presence of multiple siblings in the painting emphasizes familial bonds, which are central to spiritual teachings about love, unity, and support. The way the children are arranged in the portrait reflects a connection not only to each other but to a greater sense of lineage and heritage. Spiritually, the family unit is often seen as a reflection of divine love and interdependence. One of the children holds a flower, a recurring symbol in spiritual and artistic traditions. Flowers represent growth, beauty, and the fleeting nature of life—reminding us of the impermanence of youth and the importance of cherishing the present moment. In many religious and philosophical traditions, flowers are metaphors for the soul’s journey, blooming in time before returning to the earth. As the first known African American professional painter, Joshua Johnson’s life story itself carries spiritual weight. His ability to rise above societal limitations and create meaningful, dignified portraits reflects the themes of perseverance, faith, and artistic purpose. By featuring The Westwood Children, the USPS stamp immortalizes not only the subjects of the painting but also the broader themes of innocence, love, and resilience. The stamp serves as a quiet but powerful reminder of the sacred nature of art, childhood, and the enduring human spirit. It invites viewers to reflect on the past, honor the contributions of marginalized voices in history, and appreciate the beauty in life’s simple yet profound moments.

SERIES HISTORY: The Four Centuries of American Art postage stamp series was issued by the United States Postal Service (USPS) on August 27, 1998 in Santa Clara, California, as a pane of 20 commemorative stamps, each with a face value of 32-cents, celebrating the rich history of American visual arts. The purpose of this landmark USPS release, celebrating 20 iconic works from colonial portraiture to modern Pop Art, was to honor the diversity and innovation of American artists across four centuries. This series showcases notable paintings and sculptures from the 17th through the 20th centuries, reflecting the evolution of artistic expression in the United States. Each stamp in this collection depicts a masterpiece from a different time period, spanning from the colonial era to modern American art. The selection includes portraits, landscapes, historical depictions, and abstract works, representing a wide range of artistic styles and movements. This series showcases the diversity of American art across different eras and styles, includes both traditional and avant-garde pieces, reflecting shifts in American society, and serves as a lasting teaching tool to introduce the public to significant American artists.

GUMMED STAMP: This postage stamp has a traditional moisture-activated gum on the back. These stamps require licking or wetting to adhere to envelopes or other surfaces. To ensure good adhesion, apply vintage gummed stamps to your mailings with a glue stick (we recommend using Elmer's "Re-Stick" glue sticks).

GENUINE USPS POSTAGE: These unused vintage postage stamps are perfectly valid for use as current postage for mailing with USPS as long as you use the adequate amount of postage to achieve standard postage rates according to the weight of your mailing. Check current postage rates at USPS.com.

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