Eastman Johnson
American, 1824 - 1906
Eastman Johnson, a distinguished artist specializing in portraits and genre paintings, emerged as a prominent figure during the Civil War era, standing out among a wave of American artists. Born as Jonathan Eastman Johnson on July 29, 1824, in Lowell, Maine, he passed away in New York on April 5, 1906. His artistic journey spanned a range of influences, from studying in Dusseldorf, Rome, Paris, and The Hague to eventually settling in New York and gaining membership in the National Academy of Design in 1860. His father, Philip C. Johnson, served as Maine's Secretary of State.
Johnson embarked on his artistic career by working at a lithographic establishment in Boston in 1840. After a year, he relocated to Augusta, ME, where he began crafting portraits using back crayon. He also explored Newport during this time. In 1845, the family moved to Washington, D.C., where Johnson honed his skills by creating numerous crayon portraits, often working within the Senate Committee Rooms at the Capitol. In 1858, he made the pivotal move to New York, where he would spend the remainder of his life. Although he ventured to Boston and Europe during 1885, 1891, and 1897, he found his artistic home in the bustling streets of New York.
Johnson's artistic training took him to Dusseldorf from 1849 to 1851, followed by The Hague from 1851 to 1855. It was during this period that he earned the moniker "American Rembrandt." Before delving into crayon portraiture, he dedicated a year to studying lithography. Upon returning from Europe, Johnson embarked on various travels before finally settling in New York City in 1859.
His creative themes often revolved around African American life and scenes from rural settings. A notable work titled "The Old Kentucky Home" encapsulated the poignant state of Southern social structure on the eve of the Civil War. This painting, which juxtaposed slave quarters with the grandeur of the owner's mansion, garnered him recognition and a membership in the National Academy.
During the 1880s, Johnson's focus shifted to capturing portraits of notable figures from high society, including John Quincy Adams, Daniel Webster, and Ralph Waldo Emerson. Following Johnson's passing, his collection was auctioned in New York the subsequent year, marking the dispersal of his artistic legacy.
Johnson embarked on his artistic career by working at a lithographic establishment in Boston in 1840. After a year, he relocated to Augusta, ME, where he began crafting portraits using back crayon. He also explored Newport during this time. In 1845, the family moved to Washington, D.C., where Johnson honed his skills by creating numerous crayon portraits, often working within the Senate Committee Rooms at the Capitol. In 1858, he made the pivotal move to New York, where he would spend the remainder of his life. Although he ventured to Boston and Europe during 1885, 1891, and 1897, he found his artistic home in the bustling streets of New York.
Johnson's artistic training took him to Dusseldorf from 1849 to 1851, followed by The Hague from 1851 to 1855. It was during this period that he earned the moniker "American Rembrandt." Before delving into crayon portraiture, he dedicated a year to studying lithography. Upon returning from Europe, Johnson embarked on various travels before finally settling in New York City in 1859.
His creative themes often revolved around African American life and scenes from rural settings. A notable work titled "The Old Kentucky Home" encapsulated the poignant state of Southern social structure on the eve of the Civil War. This painting, which juxtaposed slave quarters with the grandeur of the owner's mansion, garnered him recognition and a membership in the National Academy.
During the 1880s, Johnson's focus shifted to capturing portraits of notable figures from high society, including John Quincy Adams, Daniel Webster, and Ralph Waldo Emerson. Following Johnson's passing, his collection was auctioned in New York the subsequent year, marking the dispersal of his artistic legacy.
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