Thomas Eakins was an avid proponent of American artists taking inspiration from American life to “peer deeper into the heart” of the national character. ... The race shown in this painting was inspired by an actual event: the first pair-oared race in America. The two oarsmen, John and Bernard (Barney) Biglin from New York, appear in at least six other oils and watercolors by the artist, and in this race they took the gold. (http://arteverywhereus.org/Art-Gallery/id/42)