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Thomas Eakins (1844-1916), Max Schmitt in a Single Scull, 1871
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Source : |
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
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Type and size : |
Oil on canvas, 82.6 x 117.5 cm (32 1/2 x 46 1/4 in) |
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Associated links : |
http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/eapa/ho_34.92.htm |
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Commentary : |
Shortly after his return
from studies in Europe in July 1870, Eakins began to paint rowing
pictures. This work is among the most celebrated of those painted
between 1870 and 1874. It depicts Eakins' boyfriend friend Max Schmitt
(1843–1900), a champion oarsman, in a scull on the Schuylkill River in
Philadelphia. Eakins depicted himself in the distant boat, rowing away
from Schmitt. The bridges behind the rowers can be identified as the
Girard Avenue Bridge and the Connecting Railroad Bridge, respectively.
It is believed that this work commemorates Max Schmitt's victory in a
single-scull competition on October 5, 1870. A number of drawings for
various parts of this composition exist. |
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