Although Johnson painted adults as single images, the groups usually are children, such as the Child sisters, the Fessenden children, and Johnson family members.
See Technical Information on Johnson's Practices for a discussion of charcoal, black chalk, crayon, and pastel. —PH
MacGibeny, 2022: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow commissioned Johnson to draw portraits of himself, his family, and his friends after being impressed by Johnson's portraits of his parents, Stephen and Zilpah Longfellow. In his journal entry of January 16, 1846, he wrote, "Went to Portland where I found all pretty well. A young artist of Maine, Mr. Johnson, has taken my father and mother, in every way is excellently made.” On October 22 he wrote, "Johnson’s sketch [sic] of [Longfellow's sisters] Anne and Mary are quite charming. I am delighted with them. He is to take for me all the club. The mutual Admiration Society which I shall hang in the Hall to show people what a fine set of heads they are." Johnson was twenty-four years old when he drew Longfellow's sons Charles and Ernest. These high profile commissions in the late 1840s helped to build Johnson's reputation as a young artist in America before he went to Europe in 1849 to learn to paint.
The boys' mother, Fanny Elizabeth Appleton Longfellow, recorded the creation of this double portrait in her journal. December 12, 1848: “Johnson began a drawing of the children in pastel. He thought Erny would make a lovely one. They sat very well. Charley vastly tickled with the idea.” December 13, 1848: “Erny sat very well today by dint of picture books to look at.” December 19,1848: “Johnson again.” December 27, 1848: “Johnson brought out the pastel portrait of the children—very pretty.”
Longfellow House catalogue record, July 9, 2014: "Oval double portrait, half-length; Charles on left facing front, Ernest on right facing slightly proper right. Left figure with light brown hair, hazel eyes, light brown sack with white lace around neck and 4 gold buttons along proper right sleeve. Right figure with dark blond hair, hazel eyes, medium blue embroidered sack with low U-shaped neckline, trimmed with white lace; short sleeves trimmed in white; proper left hand covered by piece of white fabric. Background in shades of gray-green; dark red and blue drape to the right."
Charles Appleton Longfellow (1844–1893). Eldest son of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and Frances Appleton Longfellow; brother of Ernest Wadsworth Longfellow, with whom he was portrayed by Johnson.
Ernest Wadsworth Longfellow (1845–1921). Second son of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and Frances Appleton Longfellow; brother of Charles Appleton Longfellow, with whom he was portrayed by Johnson.
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