Fresh Eggs 1882

"Fresh Eggs," was etched in 1886 by Thomas Waterman Wood. Born in Vermont, Wood was known for his genre scenes depicting rural American life and, notably, he was the president of the National Academy of Design. This print offers a glimpse into the interactions between a young white girl and an older Black man on a farm. She stands with arms outstretched, ready to receive a basket of eggs lowered from the hayloft. This scene reflects both the pastoral ideal of rural life and the racial hierarchies that characterized the late 19th-century United States. While seemingly innocent, the image speaks to the division of labor and social roles of the time. The girl's upward gaze and the man's position above her create a visual narrative about dependency and power. The artwork's charm belies the complex socio-economic landscape, inviting us to consider the unseen stories of those who labored in the fields and barns of America.