The artwork titled “Negro Life in the South,” created by Eastman Johnson in 1859, is a prime example of Realism and falls under the genre of genre painting. Measuring 129.5 by 154.9 centimeters, this piece is housed in the New York Historical Society in New York City, NY, US.
The artwork depicts a scene of daily life among African Americans in the southern United States during the mid-19th century. It is rich in detail, portraying various figures engaging in different activities around a modest, rustic setting. In the foreground, several women and children are interacting, perhaps engaged in conversation or playing games, while a man plays a banjo, creating a sense of communal life and leisure. The surroundings include rugged wooden structures and a vibrant, shady tree, under which part of the group gathers. A woman and two children observe the scene from a window above, adding depth and a multi-dimensional perspective to the composition. The overall tone of the artwork conveys both the vibrancy and the harshness of life during that period, capturing a poignant moment in history with vivid realism.
