Eastman Johnson Catalogue Raisonné
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26.7 Old Men Reading
In the mid-1870s, Johnson took up the subject of old men reading, sometimes seen outdoors but usually indoors. The large size of the books suggests that the men are reading the Bible. With their suggestion of time passing and the solace of faith, such works are a solemn contrast to the joie de vivre of works such as the Old Stage Coach, which depicts young children using the relics of the past as their playground. —PH
Hills no. 26.7.5
Man Reading with Woman Sitting by the Fireplace
Alternate title: Domestic Scene (Man Reading - Woman by Fire)
1875
Oil on paperboard
21 x 25 1/2 in. (53.3 x 64.8 cm) (Hills 1991)
Signed and dated lower right: E. Johnson/1875
Private collection
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Description / Remarks
Hills, 1970: Man reading open book on table—window at left.
Provenance
Private collection
Private collection, c. 1910 (by bequest)
Private collection, by 1970 (by descent)
Private collection, by February 1992 (by purchase)
Hills Examination / Opinion
Examination date(s): 1970-09-23; 1991-02-16
Examination notes: 1970-09-23: Painting so badly darkened that it is hard to see colors. Man reading open book on table—window at left. Lady has turquoise blouse and scarf (yellow with turquoise borders). Boston rocker. Fire in fireplace. Brass candlesticks on mantel. Pewter pitcher. Red, yellow, red and blue ceramic parrot. Woman's face turned away. Light on side of face. Woman's skirt: probably pink. Man: brown coat and turquoise vest. Simple, straight-legged table.
1991-02-16: Mantel: two brass candlesticks, parrot ceramic, telescope on wall. Embers glowing right and left. Massing of light and dark on face of man and hands. Light at left. Window and sill. Woman—hand to face. Restorer—touched on book—much brighter. Light blue highlights on chair. See earlier description.
Hills 1991 opinion letter: Her scarf is white with a grid of black lines.
1991-02-16: Mantel: two brass candlesticks, parrot ceramic, telescope on wall. Embers glowing right and left. Massing of light and dark on face of man and hands. Light at left. Window and sill. Woman—hand to face. Restorer—touched on book—much brighter. Light blue highlights on chair. See earlier description.
Hills 1991 opinion letter: Her scarf is white with a grid of black lines.
Keywords
- Subject matter:
Record last updated October 29, 2021. Please note that the information on this and all pages is periodically reviewed and subject to change.
Citation: Hills, Patricia, and Abigael MacGibeny. "Man Reading with Woman Sitting by the Fireplace, 1875 (Hills no. 26.7.5)." Eastman Johnson Catalogue Raisonné. www.eastmanjohnson.org/catalogue/entry.php?id=434 (accessed on April 25, 2024).