Water Carrier
Medium
Graphic Arts-Print
Classification
Graphic Arts-Print
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the National Museum of American History, Division of Graphic Arts, Smithsonian Institution
Accession Number
1971.192
Tags
Art Historical Context
"Water Carrier," a captivating 1877 graphic arts print by American artist Jean Leon Gerome, offers a glimpse into 19th-century genre scenes. Created when Ferris was just a teenager—part of a family of artists influenced by European masters—this full-length depiction features a water carrier holding a cane and container, evoking everyday life in a traditional setting. Housed in the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Graphic collection, the work highlights the era's fascination with ethnographic subjects, blending realism with narrative charm. As a print, "Water Carrier" exemplifies the accessib...