Artwork
Winding Yarn (Interior of a Nantucket Kitchen)
Winding Yarn (Interior of a Nantucket Kitchen) is an unspecified painting by the American Impressionist artist Eastman Johnson. It dates from 1872 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
- Accession no.
- 1915.682
- Credit line
- Hinman B. Hurlbut Collection
About this work
Overview
Winding Yarn (Interior of a Nantucket Kitchen) is a painting depicting a domestic scene in a Nantucket Island kitchen.
Subject & Meaning
The scene shows a woman winding yarn from a coil held by a seated man, with a second woman nearby. The act of winding yarn was a humorous symbol of courtship, implying a woman was 'ensnaring' a suitor.
Technique & Style
The composition features everyday figures engaged in a mundane activity, presented in a straightforward manner.
Context
The painting reflects the cultural norms of its time, using the yarn-winding motif to convey a lighthearted commentary on courtship and relationships.
Artist & collection
Artist
Jonathan Eastman Johnson (July 29, 1824 – April 5, 1906) was an American painter and co-founder of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City, with his name inscribed at its entrance.
