The artwork titled “Not at Home” was created by Eastman Johnson in 1873. This composition is categorized within the Realism art movement and falls under the genre of genre painting, which typically depicts scenes from everyday life.
In this finely detailed interior scene, the artwork portrays a moment of domestic life, focusing on a solitary figure within a well-adorned home. A woman, partially shrouded in shadow, is seen descending a staircase, capturing a sense of quiet movement. The immediate foreground reveals the intricately carved newel post, an indicator of the home’s refined interior. Through an arched doorway, a richly furnished room is revealed, illuminated softly by the ambient light emanating from an unseen source. The room is decorated with ornate furniture pieces, framed artwork leaning against the wall, and an assortment of decorative items meticulously arranged on a sideboard. The interplay of light and shadow in the artwork, alongside the attention to realistic details, effectively conveys the tranquil yet poignant atmosphere of a moment of solitude within a domestic setting.
