All Talk and No Work
Francis William Edmonds
Brooklyn Museum photograph
Object Label
Francis William Edmonds’s All Talk and No Work features two figures, one white and one African American, who appear to be mid-conversation outside a barn. Although both wear tattered clothing and neither is engaged in productive work, unequal power dynamics are suggested. Leaning lazily on a pitchfork, the white farmer towers over the black figure, presumably his laborer, who holds an empty basket and gestures with his other hand.
This genre painting evokes the work of William Sidney Mount (represented nearby), whose farmyard subjects and anecdotal characterizations of yeomen and African Americans were highly popular with New York audiences. Edmonds’s treatment of the black figure is neither idealized in Mount’s manner nor caricatured as in works by other genre artists, but the painting’s enigmatic visual clues might be interpreted as an attempt to justify or obscure the racism of the era.
This genre painting evokes the work of William Sidney Mount (represented nearby), whose farmyard subjects and anecdotal characterizations of yeomen and African Americans were highly popular with New York audiences. Edmonds’s treatment of the black figure is neither idealized in Mount’s manner nor caricatured as in works by other genre artists, but the painting’s enigmatic visual clues might be interpreted as an attempt to justify or obscure the racism of the era.
Caption
Francis William Edmonds (American, 1806–1863). All Talk and No Work, 1855–1856. Oil on canvas, 24 1/16 × 19 13/16 in. (61.1 × 50.3 cm) frame: 28 × 24 1/4 × 3 in. (71.1 × 61.6 × 7.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Carll H. de Silver Fund, 51.108. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum)
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Artist
Title
All Talk and No Work
Date
1855–1856
Medium
Oil on canvas
Classification
Dimensions
24 1/16 × 19 13/16 in. (61.1 × 50.3 cm) frame: 28 × 24 1/4 × 3 in. (71.1 × 61.6 × 7.6 cm)
Signatures
Signed lower left: "FWE"
Credit Line
Carll H. de Silver Fund
Accession Number
51.108
Frequent Art Questions
Who was Francis William Edmonds?
He was an American artist active in the mid-19th century and he lived in New York State. He became known for his scenes of everyday life. His work often included a moral or some humor. He was inspired by scenes of everyday life in Dutch art of the 17th century and English art of the 18th century.What is the subject here?
This painting, titled "All Talk and No Work," is by Francis William Edmonds. This type of genre painting featuring African Americans was highly popular with New York artists of the mid-1800s.Here we can see a white farmer listening to an African American man (who presumably works for him) explain why his basket is empty. It's likely because he didn't work hard enough to fill his bucket, hence the title "All Talk and No Work."At the time the scene wouldn't have been perceived as racist or problematic, but just an amusing genre scene. What drew you to this work? I love the way the interesting interplay between light and shadow frames the figures.The drama of the piece definitely stood out to me.Agree. This scene leaves us guessing at the story! I also like the detail of the farm house in the distance. I can imagine myself enjoying a nice slice of pie there!Saw this piece was made in 1855 roughly, who is the painting referring to? The man on the right seems like he's instructing the man on the left?
Here we see a white farmer listening to an African American man (who presumably works for him) explain why his basket is empty. The implication is that the man on the right did not work hard enough to fill the bucket, hence the title "All Talk and No Work." In the 19th century, this narrative would not have been perceived as racist, but rather as an amusing genre scene.Now, however, we can interpret it as an indication of power imbalances in history---in this case, the time shortly before the Civil War.
Have information?
Have information about an artwork? Contact us at