Floor plan

Artist galleriesThomas Eakins

Thomas Eakins

The Dancing Lesson, by Thomas Eakins, 1878
The Champion Single Sculls (Max Schmitt in a Single Scull), by Thomas Eakins, 1871
A young, gangly, brown-skinned boy sits on a green chair and leans over the banjo he plays in this loosely painted, vertical composition. His body faces our right in profile, and his head leans to his left and away from us. Light comes from our left to highlight his ear and the side of his chin, but throws his profile into shadow against the lighter background. The boy has short black hair and wears a white shirt with the sleeves rolled up, black pants, and black shoes. The floor is loosely painted with streaks of earth brown, taupe, and dark moss green. The wall behind the boy is painted with visible strokes of parchment brown, peachy tan, pearl white, and fog gray. The space to our left of the boy is dark brown, and an outline of a standing person is sketched in the top left corner. A grid is overlaid across the boy’s body and the chair.
Study for "The Dancing Lesson": The Boy, by Thomas Eakins, probably 1877
The Biglin Brothers Turning the Stake, by Thomas Eakins, 1873
Thomas Eakins
Thomas Eakins

The works in this room are listed below.

Works in this room

Thomas Eakins (American, 1844–1916). Every work of theirs in the collection, in today's hang.

Section 1, north wall

  1. The Dancing Lesson, by Thomas Eakins, 1878
    The Dancing LessonThomas Eakins, 1878Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art
  2. The Champion Single Sculls (Max Schmitt in a Single Scull), by Thomas Eakins, 1871
    The Champion Single Sculls (Max Schmitt in a Single Scull)Thomas Eakins, 1871Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art
  3. A young, gangly, brown-skinned boy sits on a green chair and leans over the banjo he plays in this loosely painted, vertical composition. His body faces our right in profile, and his head leans to his left and away from us. Light comes from our left to highlight his ear and the side of his chin, but throws his profile into shadow against the lighter background. The boy has short black hair and wears a white shirt with the sleeves rolled up, black pants, and black shoes. The floor is loosely painted with streaks of earth brown, taupe, and dark moss green. The wall behind the boy is painted with visible strokes of parchment brown, peachy tan, pearl white, and fog gray. The space to our left of the boy is dark brown, and an outline of a standing person is sketched in the top left corner. A grid is overlaid across the boy’s body and the chair.
    Study for "The Dancing Lesson": The Banjo PlayerThomas Eakins, probably 1877Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  4. Study for "The Dancing Lesson": The Boy, by Thomas Eakins, probably 1877
    Study for "The Dancing Lesson": The BoyThomas Eakins, probably 1877Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington

Section 1, south wall

  1. The Biglin Brothers Turning the Stake, by Thomas Eakins, 1873
    The Biglin Brothers Turning the StakeThomas Eakins, 1873Courtesy of the Cleveland Museum of Art
  2. Thomas Eakins
    Portrait of Mrs. Helen Mac Knight (Portrait of a Mother)Thomas Eakins, (c. 1903)Courtesy of the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Smithsonian Institution
  3. Thomas Eakins
    Portrait of Mrs. Thomas EakinsThomas Eakins, (c. 1899)Courtesy of the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Smithsonian Institution

Section 2, south wall

  1. This painting shows a person seated on a stool or chair, wearing a long, dark-blue robe or gown. They are slightly turned toward the right, looking downward at something they hold in their hands, and their head is covered with a cloth or cap. The background is textured with earthy tones, mostly tan with some patches of yellow ochre and gray.
    The ChaperoneThomas Eakins, c. 1908Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  2. Artist: Thomas Cowperthwaite Eakins, Sitter: Talcott Williams, Current owner: National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution
    Talcott WilliamsThomas Eakins, c. 1889Courtesy of the National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution