Eastman Johnson became famous when he exibitied his Negro Life at the South (New York Historical Society) at the National Academy of Design in 1859. During the 1860s, he painted works of similar nature such as The Ride for Freedom (1863, Brooklyn Museum), Negro Boy (1860, National Academy of Design) and The Chimney Corner, (1863, Munson-Williams-Proctor Institute). In a letter dated November 25, 1992 discussing The Chimney Sweep, Patricia Hills comments" "There is no other picture, that I know of, that is quite like [this] painting. It is exquisite, with a wonderful expression." This letter accompanies the lot.

This painting will be included in the forthcoming catalogue raisonné of Eastman Johnson's work by Patricia Hills.