The artwork “Farewell,” created by William H. Johnson in 1942, belongs to the Naïve Art (Primitivism) movement and is classified as a genre painting.
The artwork depicts a poignant scene likely situated in a rural or small-town setting. Central to the composition is a woman in a blue dress and hat, raising her hand in a gesture of farewell, standing alongside two young children. The figures appear to be saying goodbye to a departing train, visible in the background, exuding plumes of dark smoke. The landscape is characterized by rolling green hills, a broken wooden fence, and telephone poles, contributing to the rustic ambiance. Additionally, a cart with red wheels and some scattered red bricks add to the simplicity and everyday life captured in the scene. The style is marked by bold outlines and a vibrant, yet simplified, color palette, reflecting the hallmarks of Naïve Art.
