Back from the Orchard 1876

"Back from the Orchard" is an 1876 oil painting by American artist Eastman Johnson, now housed at the Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art. The artwork portrays a young boy in the act of enjoying an apple after a day of picking fruit. The child's simple clothing and worn shoes suggest a working-class upbringing, a common theme in Johnson's work. The dark background provides a stark contrast to the boy's figure, emphasizing his solitary figure and the quiet moment of reflection. This painting reflects Johnson's interest in capturing everyday scenes of rural life, particularly the lives of working people in post-Civil War America.