Study for The Swimming Hole 1884

This black and white photograph titled ‘Study for The Swimming Hole’ was created by Thomas Eakins, a controversial figure in late 19th century American art. Eakins challenged Victorian prudery with his frank depictions of the human form. He believed in representing the body as it truly was, which put him at odds with societal norms of the time. In this study, we see a group of nude men at a swimming hole, a scene that celebrates the natural male form outside of traditional artifice. The photograph reflects the artist's interest in realism and his personal beliefs about the importance of the body. It also resonates with a broader cultural fascination with the concept of masculinity. Although Eakins was pushing boundaries, he was also perpetuating exclusions. Consider who is not represented here. Whose bodies are missing from this idyllic scene? This image is a reminder of what was included, and perhaps more importantly, who was excluded from the dominant narratives of American life.