William Rush Carving His Allegorical Figure of the Schuylkill River, Study 1876

Thomas Eakins' "William Rush Carving His Allegorical Figure of the Schuylkill River, Study," painted in 1876, depicts the famed American sculptor William Rush at work. The painting features a dimly lit studio, with a nude female figure standing in the center, likely serving as a model for Rush. The artist himself is seated in the left foreground, working on a sculpture. The painting, a study for a larger composition, exemplifies Eakins' interest in capturing the realism and authenticity of everyday life. This work is also notable for its depiction of the nude, a subject matter that was considered controversial at the time, highlighting Eakins' commitment to anatomical accuracy and naturalism.