Who painted Not an Egg?

Not an Egg was painted by Thomas Waterman Wood in 1894.

Where can I see Not an Egg?

Not an Egg is held by Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.

What movement is Not an Egg?

Not an Egg is associated with American Impressionism.

Artwork

Not an Egg

Thomas Waterman Wood , 1894

Not an Egg is an oil painting by the American Impressionist artist Thomas Waterman Wood. It dates from 1894 and is held in the collection of the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.

About this work

Overview

Thomas Waterman Wood’s 1894 oil painting Not an Egg is part of the collection at the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. The work presents a domestic interior scene rendered in warm tones, inviting the viewer into a quiet, everyday moment.

Subject & Meaning

A woman in a long, floral‑patterned dress and white apron stands on the left, extending a basket toward a boy perched on a ladder. The boy, dressed in dark clothing and a straw hat, appears to receive the offering, suggesting a simple act of sharing or assistance within a household setting.

Technique & Style

Wood employs a soft, diffused lighting that bathes the figures in gentle warmth. The palette of earthy reds and yellows, combined with delicate brushwork, emphasizes the intimacy of the scene and creates a sense of coziness without sharp contrasts.

History & Provenance

Created in 1894, the painting entered the holdings of the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, where it remains on display as an example of late‑19th‑century American genre painting.

Context

The composition reflects the period’s interest in everyday life and domestic virtue, aligning with other American genre works that celebrated ordinary moments and the moral values associated with family labor and cooperation.

Artist & collection

Artist

Thomas Waterman Wood

Thomas Waterman Wood (1823–1903) was an American artist, born in Montpelier.

Museum

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art

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