“John Biglin in a Single Scull” is an artwork painted by Thomas Eakins between 1873 and 1874 using watercolor on paper. The work belongs to the Realism art movement and is classified under the genre painting category.
The artwork depicts a male rower, John Biglin, engaged in the sport of sculling. Biglin is positioned in a single rowing shell on what appears to be a calm body of water. Wearing a white sleeveless shirt and a red headscarf, the rower is shown in profile, with his muscles visibly tensed, capturing the physical effort and concentration required in the sport. The background features a serene landscape with the shoreline seen at a distance under a clear blue sky. The water’s surface reflects parts of the boat and the rower, adding to the realistic representation of the scene. The attention to detail and the choice of vivid colors effectively convey the vitality and athleticism of the subject.
