The Pets

Eastman Johnson

National Gallery of Art

This painting shows a young girl sitting in a wooden chair, facing the right. She has pale skin, rosy cheeks, a slightly upturned nose, and long, brown hair put up behind her head. She is wearing a pale green dress and black shoes. To the right are several animals. On top of a table or counter is a small cage with two hamsters or gerbils with reddish-brown fur, surrounded by yellow straw and green grass. On top of their cage is a clear fishbowl on a tall glass stand, with a large goldfish and a smaller gray fish swimming in it. A small gray kitten sits on the cage, watching the fish, ears perked up and one paw slightly raised. Behind this counter and slightly to the left is a tall wooden stand with a bright green bird perched on it, surrounded by some potted plants. The bird has a blue head and small patches of red feathers on the tops of its wings. The girl is sitting on the edge of the wooden chair, watching the animals, a small silver plate and pitcher on the wooden floor by her feet. The wall and door behind her are light gray, and in some places, plaster appears have fallen off the wall, exposing a red surface underneath. Framed pictures hang on the wall, and on the right side we can see the edge of a window that casts pale light on the rest of the scene.