Wrestlers, 1899, by Thomas Eakins, 1844-1916, American realist painting, oil on canvas. In 1898, Eakins began this painting by watching athletes wrestle so that he could determine the most interesting position of the figures. Eakin decided on a half nelson and crotch hold pose, which he photographed for reference when he painted. In the left background is an athlete exercising at a rowing machine. At right are cropped figures of the coach and a student wrestler. (BSLOC_2023_5_6)
