Street Musicians 1861

Eastman Johnson's "Street Musicians" (1861) is a poignant depiction of three young street performers. The scene showcases the realities of poverty and child labor in 19th-century America. The young violinist, a boy with a worn-out instrument, looks intently at his performance, while the girl holding a box likely collects donations. The third child, a girl playing a tambourine, completes the group, their faces conveying a mix of innocence and hardship. The painting's realistic style and focus on everyday subjects were characteristic of Johnson's work, which aimed to capture the lives of ordinary people.