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Taking the Census, 1854 (oil on canvas)
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Taking the Census, 1854 (oil on canvas)
3613966 Taking the Census, 1854 (oil on canvas) by Edmonds, Francis William (1806-63); 71.1x96.5 cm; Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA; (add.info.: The United States Census of 1850 required the heads of households to provide information about their dependents. Edmondss humorous image, the earliest known of the census-taking process, shows a fathers efforts to recall his family statistics, while several of his children hide from sight. The small framed portrait of George Washington evokes the genesis of the countrys political system and the admonition never to tell a lie. ); American, out of copyright
Media ID 22734342
© Bridgeman Images
Bureaucracy Bureaucrat Census Clock Counting Data George Washington Group Portrait Hearth Household Information Mantel Official Post Colonial Recording Records Regulation Statistic Statistical Analysis Statistics Demographics Demography Parents Regulatory Tally
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Taking the Census, 1854
EDITORS COMMENTS
is a captivating oil painting by Francis William Edmonds that offers a humorous glimpse into the process of census-taking in mid-19th century America. The artwork, now housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, depicts a father diligently trying to recall his family's statistics while his mischievous children hide from sight. As an early representation of this bureaucratic task, Edmonds captures both the importance and challenges faced by households during the United States Census of 1850. Intriguingly, amidst this scene lies a small framed portrait of George Washington, symbolizing not only the genesis of American political system but also serving as a reminder never to tell a lie. This detail adds depth to the narrative portrayed within the painting. The composition showcases an interior cottage setting with its hearth and mantel as focal points. It highlights how families were required to provide information about their dependents for demographic recording and statistical analysis. Through Edmonds' skilled brushwork, we witness both parental responsibility and regulatory demands intersecting within domestic life. "Taking the Census, 1854" invites viewers into an intimate moment where official duties collide with familial dynamics. This group portrait serves as a testament to historical record-keeping practices while offering insights into societal norms and values prevalent during that era in North America.
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