The artwork titled “John Biglin in a Single Scull” by Thomas Eakins was created during 1873-1874. This oil on canvas painting, categorized under the Realism art movement, belongs to the genre painting classification. It is currently housed at the Yale University Art Gallery in New Haven, Connecticut, United States.
The artwork portrays a lone rower, John Biglin, in a scull on a serene body of water. He is depicted wearing a white sleeveless shirt and a red bandana, showcasing the physical exertion and concentration involved in his rowing. With precise brushwork, Eakins captures the details of the boat, the reflective water, and the distant shoreline, evoking a sense of tranquility and dedication to the sport. The realistic style and the careful use of light and shadow further emphasize the muscular effort and the peaceful isolation of the rower in his natural surroundings. This painting exemplifies Eakins’s keen interest in the human form and his exceptional ability to portray motion and athleticism.
