The Early Scholar

Eastman Johnson

National Gallery of Art

This painting shows a young boy sitting on a wooden rocking chair next to a dark metal stove. He is leaning forward with one arm extended towards the stove door, which is partially open, revealing bright orange light. The boy is wearing a dark cap, a brown long-sleeved shirt, and light-colored pants. His face is partially turned away, focused on the stove, but we can see his pale skin and rosy cheeks. Firewood is scattered on the floor around the stove. The background includes plain gray walls, and on the right are rows of what appear to be wooden desks.