The artwork titled “Sailboats Racing on the Delaware” was created by Thomas Eakins in 1874. This piece, an oil painting on canvas, belongs to the Realism art movement. The dimensions of the artwork are 91.44 x 60.96 cm. It represents a marina genre and is housed in the Philadelphia Museum of Art, located in Philadelphia, PA, US.
The painting depicts several sailboats engaged in a lively race on what appears to be the Delaware River. The artist has captured the dynamic nature of the event, with the sails billowing in the wind and the boats cutting through the water. The composition includes multiple vessels, their sails prominently displayed under the expansive sky. The figures aboard the boats are actively involved in navigating them, suggesting a sense of urgency and competition. The realistic portrayal of the scene conveys the artist’s keen observation and skillful execution, typical of the Realism movement. The overall atmosphere is one of movement and fluidity, enhanced by the naturalistic depiction of light and weather conditions.