Sargent Claude Johnson (1888-1967) was born in Boston, Massachusetts to Anderson Johnson and Lizzie Jackson. Orphaned, he was brought up by his aunt (May Howard Johnson) a famous sculptor. Johnson was a painter, potter, ceramist, printmaker, graphic artist, sculptor, and carver, but was best known for his work as a painter, sculptor and ceramist. He was at his peak stylistically from 1926-1935 during the Harlem Renaissance era which coincided with his exhibitions at the Harmon Foundation. His work reflected the ideas of the Harlem Renaissance making him one of the most outstanding artists producing black subject matter (portraits, masks, and mother-and-child themes).