"The Wrestlers" (1899) by Thomas Eakins.
"It is clear that Eakins studied and photographed wrestlers in the gymnasium at the Quaker City Athletic Club as an exact visual reference for the painting.
"Accomplished draftsman, anatomist, and artist Thomas Eakins (1844-1916) was criticized during his career for his insistence on studying and painting from the nude. Eakins believed in a naturalistic approach to art and made no compromises with the mores of his time. He became the first artist to depict masculine (now called macho) sphere of sports and is now acclaimed as one of America’s greatest realist painters. "
[John Esten in his book "Thomas Eakins: The Absolute Male" NY: Universe, (2002)]
"The Wrestlers" (1899) by Thomas Eakins.
"It is clear that Eakins studied and photographed wrestlers in the gymnasium at the Quaker City Athletic Club as an exact visual reference for the painting.
"Accomplished draftsman, anatomist, and artist Thomas Eakins (1844-1916) was criticized during his career for his insistence on studying and painting from the nude. Eakins believed in a naturalistic approach to art and made no compromises with the mores of his time. He became the first artist to depict masculine (now called macho) sphere of sports and is now acclaimed as one of America’s greatest realist painters. "
[John Esten in his book "Thomas Eakins: The Absolute Male" NY: Universe, (2002)]