Taking the Census

Francis William Edmonds

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The painting "Taking the Census" by Francis William Edmonds depicts a scene in a rustic room. The room has a fireplace with a mantelpiece against the back wall. The mantelpiece holds various items. To the left, a woman kneels on the floor, holding a baby in her arms. She wears a black dress and a white apron. Nearby, four children are gathered, with one covering her face and another peeking from behind. A man stands by the fireplace, wearing a brown jacket and green pants. He looks down at a piece of paper. On the right side, an older man in a black hat, dark coat, and brown pants holds a book and a pencil. Beside him, a younger boy holds papers. The room has wooden beams on the ceiling and a doorway to the right. Furniture includes a large wooden cabinet and a dresser. The atmosphere appears to be one of everyday life.