Who painted Tasting the Sugar?

Tasting the Sugar was painted by Eastman Johnson in 1861.

Where can I see Tasting the Sugar?

Tasting the Sugar is held by Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

What movement is Tasting the Sugar?

Tasting the Sugar is associated with Realism.

Can I buy a print of Tasting the Sugar?

Museum-quality prints of Tasting the Sugar are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Tasting the Sugar

Eastman Johnson , 1861

Tasting the Sugar is an unspecified painting by the Realist artist Eastman Johnson. It dates from 1861 and is held in the collection of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1861 by American painter Eastman Johnson, Tasting the Sugar is a realist genre work now in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. The composition captures a small group gathered around a fire in a forest clearing, their 19th‑century attire and the glowing hearth suggesting a moment of shared domestic activity.

Subject & Meaning

The scene centers on a communal fire with a large pot suspended above the flames, around which figures sit or stand in quiet conversation. The warm illumination and intimate arrangement convey a sense of fellowship and the simple pleasures of rural life, reflecting Johnson’s interest in everyday American experiences.

Technique & Style

Johnson employs strong chiaroscuro, allowing the firelight to carve out forms and create depth within the dim woodland setting. The careful rendering of textures, rough bark, fabric folds, and the flickering glow, demonstrates his realist approach, while the overall composition balances naturalism with a subtle narrative focus.

History & Provenance

Eastman Johnson, also known for portraiture of figures such as Abraham Lincoln, painted this work during his early career when he concentrated on genre scenes. Tasting the Sugar entered the collection of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, where it remains part of the museum’s holdings of 19th‑century American painting.

At the Camp—Spinning Yarns and Whittling, Eastman Johnson

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Artist & collection

Artist

Eastman Johnson

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.