Cranberry Pickers, Nantucket c. 1879

Eastman Johnson's "Cranberry Pickers, Nantucket" (c. 1879) is a realist painting depicting a group of cranberry pickers working in a field on the island of Nantucket. The figures are dressed in simple clothing, and their faces are obscured by the shadows of their hats. This piece captures a slice of life in late 19th century New England, portraying the labor of the workers in the cranberry industry. It is a depiction of the American landscape and the lives of its working class. The artist's detailed brushwork, careful composition, and accurate representation of light and shadow make this piece a masterwork of American Realism.