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Seaweed Gatherers, c.1898

Painting by Edward Mitchell Bannister of a male worker pushing a wheelbarrow packed with seaweed up a grassy hill, while another worker can be seen in the distance gathering more seaweed.

Edward Mitchell Bannister, Seaweed Gatherers, c.1898, oil on canvas, 65.7 x 50.6 cm, Collection of the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington, DC, Gift of H. Alan and Melvin Frank (1983.95.149).

In this painting, a male worker is pushing a wheelbarrow packed with seaweed—intended for use as fertilizer—up a grassy hill, while another worker can be seen in the distance gathering more seaweed. The viewer is positioned close to the ground near the central subject, making him appear monumental. This realist, ennobling depiction of a labourer was influenced by the famed French painter Jean-François Millet (1814–1875), who documented the struggles and quiet dignity of peasant farmers in mid-nineteenth-century France. A great admirer of Millet, Bannister described him as “the profoundest, most sympathetic, and deeply religious artistic spirit of our time,” who sought to “voice . . . the sad, uncomplaining life he saw about him—and with which he sympathized so deeply.”

Gallery

Painting by Edward Mitchell Bannister of a seashore with two figures standing at the edge of the water and houses in the distance.

Untitled (Rhode Island Seascape), c.1856

Portrait by Edward Mitchell Bannister of his wife, Christiana Carteaux Bannister. She is an African-American woman, seated on a green chair with her hands folded on her lap. She is wearing a brown dress embellished with a white lace collar and red bow. Her dark, curly hair is worn up in braids.

Portrait of Christiana Carteaux Bannister, c.1860

Painting by Edward Mitchell Bannister of ships in a harbour at night, a full moon hanging low in the sky illuminating the scene.

Untitled (moon over a harbor, wharf scene with full moon and masts of boats), c.1868

Portrait by Edward Mitchell Bannister of a young African-American boy holding a stack of newspapers under his arm. He is wearing a brown coat, red neckerchief, and dark newsboy cap.

Newspaper Boy, 1869

Painting by Edward Mitchell Bannister of a scene in a stable. An agitated white horse is resisting a groom, its front left leg raised in a sign of protest.

Governor Sprague’s White Horse, 1869

Painting by Edward Mitchell Bannister of a seaside scene with small groups of people dispersed throughout the hilly landscape. A large ship with white sails is visible in the water at a distance.

Fort Dumpling, Jamestown, Rhode Island, n.d.

Painting by Edward Mitchell Bannister of a pastoral landscape. A man, emerging from a dense forest of oak trees, is walking along a path that leads to a small boat on the water. Nearby, a few cows are grazing.

Oak Trees, 1876

Painting by Edward Mitchell Bannister of a large bouquet of flowers sitting on a table.

Untitled (floral still life), n.d.

Painting by Edward Mitchell Bannister of a derelict fishing shack with a sagging roof and walls. Fishing equipment is haphazardly strewn about the scene.

Fishing Shacks, c.1877–85

Painting by Edward Mitchell Bannister of waves crashing into a rocky coastline under a cloudy sky.

Newport, 1877–82

Painting by Edward Mitchell Bannister of a landscape with large trees at the edge of a field. In the distance, women and children are harvesting and stacking hay.

Hay Gatherers, c.1893

Painting by Edward Mitchell Bannister of two men maneuvering a boat onto grass while two women carrying baskets look on.

People Near Boat, 1893

Painting by Edward Mitchell Bannister of a male worker pushing a wheelbarrow packed with seaweed up a grassy hill, while another worker can be seen in the distance gathering more seaweed.

Seaweed Gatherers, c.1898

Watercolour painting by Edward Mitchell Bannister of a small bridge on an overcast day, with the water below reflecting the surrounding trees.

Untitled (Landscape with Bridge), n.d.

Impressionist painting by Edward Mitchell Bannister of a vibrant cityscape with the left side of the street lined with colourful buildings and the right side is populated with trees displaying the colours of autumn.

Boston Street Scene, 1898–99

Painting by Edward Mitchell Bannister of a seashore with two figures standing at the edge of the water and houses in the distance.

Untitled (Rhode Island Seascape), c.1856

Portrait by Edward Mitchell Bannister of his wife, Christiana Carteaux Bannister. She is an African-American woman, seated on a green chair with her hands folded on her lap. She is wearing a brown dress embellished with a white lace collar and red bow. Her dark, curly hair is worn up in braids.

Portrait of Christiana Carteaux Bannister, c.1860

Painting by Edward Mitchell Bannister of ships in a harbour at night, a full moon hanging low in the sky illuminating the scene.

Untitled (moon over a harbor, wharf scene with full moon and masts of boats), c.1868

Portrait by Edward Mitchell Bannister of a young African-American boy holding a stack of newspapers under his arm. He is wearing a brown coat, red neckerchief, and dark newsboy cap.

Newspaper Boy, 1869

Painting by Edward Mitchell Bannister of a scene in a stable. An agitated white horse is resisting a groom, its front left leg raised in a sign of protest.

Governor Sprague’s White Horse, 1869

Painting by Edward Mitchell Bannister of a seaside scene with small groups of people dispersed throughout the hilly landscape. A large ship with white sails is visible in the water at a distance.

Fort Dumpling, Jamestown, Rhode Island, n.d.

Painting by Edward Mitchell Bannister of a pastoral landscape. A man, emerging from a dense forest of oak trees, is walking along a path that leads to a small boat on the water. Nearby, a few cows are grazing.

Oak Trees, 1876

Painting by Edward Mitchell Bannister of a large bouquet of flowers sitting on a table.

Untitled (floral still life), n.d.

Painting by Edward Mitchell Bannister of a derelict fishing shack with a sagging roof and walls. Fishing equipment is haphazardly strewn about the scene.

Fishing Shacks, c.1877–85

Painting by Edward Mitchell Bannister of waves crashing into a rocky coastline under a cloudy sky.

Newport, 1877–82

Painting by Edward Mitchell Bannister of a landscape with large trees at the edge of a field. In the distance, women and children are harvesting and stacking hay.

Hay Gatherers, c.1893

Painting by Edward Mitchell Bannister of two men maneuvering a boat onto grass while two women carrying baskets look on.

People Near Boat, 1893

Painting by Edward Mitchell Bannister of a male worker pushing a wheelbarrow packed with seaweed up a grassy hill, while another worker can be seen in the distance gathering more seaweed.

Seaweed Gatherers, c.1898

Watercolour painting by Edward Mitchell Bannister of a small bridge on an overcast day, with the water below reflecting the surrounding trees.

Untitled (Landscape with Bridge), n.d.

Impressionist painting by Edward Mitchell Bannister of a vibrant cityscape with the left side of the street lined with colourful buildings and the right side is populated with trees displaying the colours of autumn.

Boston Street Scene, 1898–99

Seaweed Gatherers - Art Canada