Hauling the Seine 1882

Thomas Eakins’ 1882 painting “Hauling the Seine” depicts a group of men pulling in a large seine net on the Schuylkill River near Philadelphia. Known for his realistic depictions of everyday life, Eakins captures the hard work and camaraderie of the fishermen in their laborious task. This painting showcases Eakins' interest in depicting the working class and emphasizing the physicality of labor, characteristic of his realist style. The painting's composition, with the figures extending across the canvas, emphasizes the collective effort involved in hauling the net. The muted color palette, dominated by browns and grays, adds to the painting's sense of realism and groundedness.