The American artist John Wilson, who died in 2015, spent six decades documenting the ongoing struggle for racial, social, and economic justice. Born in 1922, Wilson witnessed some of the most turbulent times in American history. He painted scenes of labor struggles, racial violence, and the movement for Civil Rights. But he also created noble portraits of Black family life and fatherhood. Wilson sought “a universal humanity” and painted Black Americans in scenes of strength and dignity, counteracting the negative stereotypes he saw during his youth. “Witnessing Humanity,” the largest showcase of Wilson’s work yet, traces the artist’s path chronologically. —Alice Browne