Mathematical Paintings of Crockett Johnson

Inspired by the allure of the space age, many Americans of the 1960s took great interest in mathematics and science. One of them was the cartoonist, book illustrator, and children’s author David Crockett Johnson. From 1965 until his death in 1975 Crockett Johnson painted over 100 works relating to mathematics and mathematical physics. Of these paintings, eighty are found in the collections of the National Museum of American History. We present them here, with related diagrams from the artist’s library and papers.

This work illustrates two laws of planetary motion proposed by the German mathematician Johannes Kepler (1571–1630) in his book Astronomia Nova (New Astronomy) of 1609. Kepler argued that planets move about the sun in elliptical orbits, with the sun at one focus of the ellipse.
Description
This work illustrates two laws of planetary motion proposed by the German mathematician Johannes Kepler (1571–1630) in his book Astronomia Nova (New Astronomy) of 1609. Kepler argued that planets move about the sun in elliptical orbits, with the sun at one focus of the ellipse. He also claimed that a planet moves about the sun in such a way that a line drawn from the planet to the sun sweeps out equal areas in equal times. The ellipse in the work represents the path of a planet and the white sections equal areas. The extraordinary contrast between the deep blue and white colors dramatize this phenomenon.
This oil painting on masonite has a wooden frame. It is signed: CJ65. It also is marked on the back: Crockett Johnson 1965 (/) LAW OF ORBITING VELOCITY (/) (KEPLER). It is #22 in the series. The work follows an annotated diagram from Crockett Johnson’s copy of Newman's The World of Mathematics (1956), p. 231. Compare to paintings #76 (1979.1093.50) and #99 (1979.1093.66).
Reference: Arthur Koestler, The Watershed (1960).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1965
referenced
Kepler, Johannes
painter
Johnson, Crockett
ID Number
1979.1093.16
catalog number
1979.1093.16
accession number
1979.1093
This piece is a further example of Crockett Johnson's exploration of Kepler’s first two laws of planetary motion. The ellipse represents the path of a planet, and the white sections represent equal areas swept out in equal times.
Description
This piece is a further example of Crockett Johnson's exploration of Kepler’s first two laws of planetary motion. The ellipse represents the path of a planet, and the white sections represent equal areas swept out in equal times. This work, a silk screen inked on paper board, is signed: CJ66. It is #76 in the series, and it echoes painting #22 (1979.1093.16) and painting #99 (1979.1093.66).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1966
referenced
Kepler, Johannes
painter
Johnson, Crockett
ID Number
1979.1093.50
catalog number
1979.1093.50
accession number
1979.1093
This creation, similar to works #22 (1979.1093.16) and #76 (1979.1093.50), is a further example of Crockett Johnson's work relating to Kepler's first two laws of planetary motion.
Description
This creation, similar to works #22 (1979.1093.16) and #76 (1979.1093.50), is a further example of Crockett Johnson's work relating to Kepler's first two laws of planetary motion. The ellipse represents the path of a planet and the white sections represent equal areas swept out in equal times. This work is a silk screen on paper. It is number 99 in the series, and is signed in the right corner: Crockett Johnson (/) 67. It draws on a figure from The World of Mathematics by James R. Newman.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1967
referenced
Kepler, Johannes
painter
Johnson, Crockett
ID Number
1979.1093.66
catalog number
1979.1093.66
accession number
1979.1093

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