A Prisoner of the State by Eastman Johnson. An elderly man with a white beard stands in a dark stone cell, looking toward a barred window where a small bird perches.

A Prisoner of the State

Eastman Johnson

1874 · Oil Paint, Cardboard

A poignant and atmospheric scene depicting an elderly captive looking toward a window in a dimly lit cell.

$129

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From $129

1 frame size

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Where it works

A grounded artwork with confident presence with warm, lived-in color — brings a composed sense of weight.

Often works in
Library · Study · Office
Placement
Strongest where a vertical wall can take more presence
Walls
Benefits from light or mid-tone surroundings
Color notes
Charcoal black, Olive green

About the piece

Painted in 1874 by Eastman Johnson, this dramatic oil study explores themes of isolation and hope. The prisoner, illuminated by a sliver of light from a barred window, watches a small bird, creating a powerful contrast between the confinement of the cell and the freedom of the natural world.

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