Corn Husking

"Corn Husking" is a genre painting created by American artist Eastman Johnson around 1875. The work depicts a group of African American laborers engaged in the process of husking corn, a common agricultural task in the rural United States during the 19th century. Johnson's painting reflects the social and economic realities of the post-Civil War era, highlighting the labor of African Americans in agricultural settings. The composition is characterized by its warm color palette and attention to detail, capturing the physicality and communal aspect of the work. Johnson was known for his ability to convey emotion and narrative through his subjects, and "Corn Husking" exemplifies this skill. The painting is part of the collection at the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Specific details regarding the painting's exhibition history or provenance are not widely documented.

"Corn Husking," created by Eastman Johnson around 1875, depicts a rural scene centered on the communal activity of husking corn. The composition features a group of figures, predominantly women and children, engaged in the task, with a warm, earthy color palette that evokes a sense of autumn. The figures are rendered with a focus on their expressions and interactions, highlighting the social aspect of the activity. Johnson employs a loose brushwork technique, which adds a sense of movement and liveliness to the scene. The background is filled with corn stalks and a soft, diffused light that suggests a late afternoon setting. The overall atmosphere conveys a sense of camaraderie and the simplicity of rural life during the harvest season. The painting exemplifies Johnson's interest in genre scenes and his ability to capture the essence of American life in the 19th century.