Who painted Fisherman?

Fisherman was painted by Eastman Johnson in 1864.

Where can I see Fisherman?

Fisherman is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Fisherman?

Fisherman is associated with Impressionism.

Can I buy a print of Fisherman?

Museum-quality prints of Fisherman are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Fisherman

Eastman Johnson , 1864

Fisherman is a graphite drawing by the Impressionist artist Eastman Johnson. It dates from 1864 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription: Inscribed:lower left in graphite by unknown hand: B; upper verso in graphite by unknown hand: WCA 923; center verso in graphite by unknown hand: Y-P_ 2 fl 10 1/2 in._off; lower left verso in graphite by unknown hand: 18 [circled] / A4227; lower center verso in graphite by unknown hand: Fisherman 12; lower right verso in graphite by unknown hand (upside down): Fisherman / Eastman Johnson

About this work

Overview

Created around 1864, this graphite drawing on wove paper is attributed to American artist Eastman Johnson. The work presents a solitary figure, presumed to be a fisherman, rendered in a straightforward, observational manner characteristic of Johnson’s mid‑nineteenth‑century practice.

Subject & Meaning

The composition shows a man in profile, his head turned slightly toward the viewer. He wears a brimmed hat and a long coat, and his right arm is bent with the hand resting on his hip, suggesting a moment of pause or contemplation within an everyday labor scene.

Technique & Style

Executed in graphite, the drawing exploits a full spectrum of tonal values, from delicate highlights to deep shadows, to model the figure’s facial features and clothing. The careful hatching and cross‑hatching convey texture and volume, reflecting Johnson’s realist approach to capturing the physicality of his subjects.

History & Provenance

The piece dates to the Civil‑War era, a period when Johnson produced numerous genre studies of American life. While specific ownership records are limited, the drawing is catalogued among Johnson’s works in several museum collections, confirming its attribution and approximate date of creation.

African-American Figure, James Goodwyn Clonney

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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.