Knitting
1882-83; this cast 1883 or later
Thomas Eakins
Born Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1844; died Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1916
Knitting was this celebrated painter’s first sculpture commission. Eakins produced it as part of a request for ornamental plaques to grace the fireplace of a grand Philadelphia home. The project was abruptly cancelled and thus proved a major disappointment for the artist, yet he considered Knitting among his most significant achievements. The plaque combines everything that defines Eakins’ art: his command of the human form in action; situating figures precisely in space; attention to specific details of time and place to achieve realism; connecting historical traditions with modern life; and talent for capturing the intangible quality of human introspection.
Plaster relief, painted
18 1/2 x 15 x 4 1/2 in. (47 x 38.1 x 11.4cm)
Gift from a private collection
2005.167
Provenance: Susan Macdowell Eakins (1851-1938), Philadelphia, as gift to Charles Bregler (1864-1958), Asbury Park, N.J.; Mary L. Bregler (Charles Bregler widow), 1958-1998; Mary L. Bregler estate [Christie's East, New York, April 19, 1998, lot 51]; (private collection, Calif., 1998-2004); [Heritage Galleries and Auctioneers, Dallas, Texas, "American Art and Illustrators," Oct. 29, 2004, lot 24038]; Tom and Ann Barwick, Seattle, 2004-present
Photo: Susan Cole
