Paper

Student Artwork Guide

The Swing

William James Glackens, 1913

Name Class Date
William James Glackens, The Swing (1913). Public domain. See this canvas under a moving light: the drawing, the true colour under the varnish, the bare pigment

The facts

Artist
William James Glackens originaluniqueart.com/en/artists/william-james-glackens/
Artist’s dates
1870 – 1938
Painted
1913
Medium
Oil On Canvas
Original size
66 x 81 cm
Movement
American Impressionism Painters working fast and outdoors to catch how light actually looked at one moment, rather than finishing smoothly in a studio.
Period
Modern
Artistic style
Impressionism
Influences
Renoir
Notable elements
Women on a bench, sunlight, handbags
Subject or theme
Leisure and camaraderie in nature

Copyright This work is in the public domain. William James Glackens died in 1938; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death, so it ended in 2008.

Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Sept. 29, 2026

The Swing — William James Glackens Part 1 · The artwork

In context

The Swing — William James Glackens

How big is it?

The original measures 66 × 81 cm (height × width), drawn here beside an adult of average height.

When was this painted?

  1. 1870
  2. 1880
  3. 1890
  4. 1900
  5. 1910
  6. 1920
  7. 1930

Row above: the years. Row below: how old the artist was at the start and at the end of each span — 0 at birth, 68 at death.

Painted when the artist was 43. The artist lived to 68. 95 of the 157 dated works by this artist in our catalogue came earlier.

Shaded: the lifetime of William James Glackens (1870–1938) ▲ this work, 1913 every dated painting, decade by decade

First works: up to 1906 Main working years: 1906–1918 Late works: from 1918

Those three bands split the works this catalogue has a date for into a first quarter, a middle half and a last quarter. They are not the artist’s complete output: a thin stretch may be a gap in the record rather than a quiet spell. The same years with the artist’s life laid along them

Compare with

Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.

More works to set beside this one: originaluniqueart.com/en/art/similar/william-james-glackens-the-swing-8YE4HA-en/

Colours

Measured from the image

    Main colour

    Sap Green #6b7052

    Catalogued palette

    • #6B7052
    • #9EAC50
    • #2E3A2D
    • #B4B8C2

    These colours inside the artist’s whole palette Find other paintings by colour

    Palette
    Dark The dominant colour family in the image.
    Main colour name
    Sap Green
    Intensity
    Vivid How saturated and varied the colours are, from a single toned-down hue to many bright ones.
    Contrast
    Bold How much the colours differ in lightness and saturation across the picture.
    Harmony
    Softly Mixed Palette How well the colours work together, from clashing to fully unified.
    Brightness
    Bright How light or dark the picture reads overall, from deep shadow to bright highlight.
    Saturation
    Clear Color Presence How pure and strong the colours are, from near-grey to fully vivid.

    Where in the world is this painting looked at?

    • under 1%
    • 1–3%
    • 3–8%
    • 8–20%
    • 20% and over
    This painting alone has too few recorded visitors to map, so the plate reads every work by William James Glackens over the last twelve months — 10 countries in all. Where these figures come from

    The ten leading countries

    1. 1 China 61.9%
    2. 2 United States of America 12.7%
    3. 3 Singapore 11.9%
    4. 4 Malaysia 5.9%
    5. 5 Hong Kong 2.5%
    6. 6 New Zealand 1.7%
    7. 7 United Kingdom 0.8%
    8. 8 Greece 0.8%
    9. 9 Sweden 0.8%
    10. 10 Türkiye 0.8%

    Find the three darkest countries on the map. Is the museum that keeps this painting in any of them? Write down one reason people far away might look at it.

    The 20 most looked-at works by William James Glackens

    1. 1 The Green Bonnet, 1913 6.1%
    2. 2 Music Hall Turn (study), 1918 3.1%
    3. 3 Julia Reading, 1916 3.1%
    4. 4 The Ermine Muff, 1903 3.1%
    5. 5 Italo-American Celebration, Washington Square, 1912 2.3%
    6. 6 Mahone Bay, 1911 2.3%
    7. 7 Lenna at One Year, 1914 2.3%
    8. 8 Bathers at Play, Study 2, 1914 2.3%
    9. 9 Lake Bathers, 1920 2.3%
    10. 10 Treading Calms, Wickford, 1909 2.3%
    11. 11 Lenna with Rabbit Hound, 1922 2.3%
    12. 12 Girl with Fox Furs, 1909 2.3%
    13. 13 Park on the River, 1902 2.3%
    14. 14 Bathing at Bellport, Long Island, 1912 2.3%
    15. 15 L'Apertif, 1926 2.3%
    16. 16 Château-Thierry, 1906 2.3%
    17. 17 The Conservatory (also known as Lenna and Her Mother in the Conservatory), 1917 1.5%
    18. 18 The Shoppers, 1907 1.5%
    19. 19 Cape Code Pier, 1908 1.5%
    20. 39 The Swing, 1913 this painting 0.8%

    Together these works take 48.3% of all the attention this artist's paintings received over the last twelve months. The catalogue holds 182 works by this artist, of which 77 were looked at at least once. This painting ranks 39 of them, with 0.8% of that attention. The same counts, month by month

    Bars measure attention, not quality. Pick the work at the top and this one: name one thing that might make a painting famous beyond how well it is painted.

    Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Sept. 29, 2026

    The Swing — William James Glackens Part 2 · In context

    About this artwork

    The Swing — William James Glackens

    A Sun-Drenched Moment of Impressionist Joy

    In the luminous masterpiece The Swing, created in 1913 by the American master William James Glackens, we are invited to step into a world where time seems to slow under the warmth of a golden afternoon. This exquisite oil on canvas serves as a breathtaking window into a moment of pure leisure and social harmony. The scene unfolds beneath the dappled shade of a sprawling tree, where a group of women, elegantly adorned in period hats, gather upon a bench. There is an undeniable sense of camaraderie and peace as they relax, their presence woven into the landscape like delicate brushstrokes of light and color. A solitary handbag rests near one of the figures, a small, intimate detail that grounds this idyllic scene in the tangible reality of everyday life.

    Glackens, a pivotal figure in the American Ashcan School who later embraced the vibrant luminosity of Impressionism, utilizes his brush to capture more than just a physical setting; he captures an emotional atmosphere. The technique is a masterful display of light and texture, where the interplay of sunlight filtering through leaves creates a rhythmic pattern of warmth across the canvas. His ability to blend the gritty realism of his early training with the soft, flickering light reminiscent of Renoir allows The Swing to vibrate with life. For the discerning collector or interior designer, this painting offers a sophisticated balance of movement and stillness, making it an ideal centerpiece for spaces that require a touch of classical elegance and an infusion of vitality.

    Historical Resonance and Artistic Legacy

    To understand the depth of The Swing, one must look toward the historical context of early 20th-century American art. As Glackens moved away from the starker depictions of urban life toward more celebratory, light-filled compositions, he helped redefine the American aesthetic. This work stands as a testament to that transition, embodying the optimism and the pursuit of beauty found in the leisure classes of the era. The painting does not merely depict people sitting; it depicts the very essence of joie de vivre—the joy of living.

    For those seeking to adorn a home or gallery with a high-quality reproduction, this piece offers profound symbolic value. It represents the enduring human desire for connection and the appreciation of nature's quiet splendor. The soft palette and inviting composition make it a versatile choice for various interior styles, from traditional manor aesthetics to modern, light-filled contemporary rooms. Owning a piece that echoes the mastery of Glackens is an opportunity to surround oneself with the timeless beauty of American Impressionism, bringing a permanent sense of sunshine and serenity into any architectural environment.

    Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Sept. 29, 2026

    The Swing — William James Glackens Part 3 · About this artwork

    Artist and museum

    Artist

    William James Glackens

    Born in Philadelphia, United States of America

    a pioneer of the ashcan school

    william james glackens, a prominent figure in american art, left an indelible mark on the canvas of history with his captivating realist paintings. born in philadelphia, pennsylvania, in 1870, glackens' artistic journey was a testament to his unwavering passion for capturing the essence of everyday life.

    early life and influences

    glackens' early years were marked by an innate inclination towards art, which led him to enroll at the pennsylvania academy of the fine arts. under the tutelage of thomas anshutz, a renowned realist, glackens honed his skills, eventually becoming one of the founders of the ashcan school. this movement rejected the conventional boundaries of artistic beauty, instead focusing on the gritty realities of metropolitan life.

    artistic career

    glackens' work is characterized by its dark-hued, vibrantly painted street scenes and depictions of daily life in pre-wwi new york and paris. his later pieces, influenced by renoir, showcased a brighter tone, reflecting his growth as an artist. notably, glackens also worked as an illustrator for newspapers and magazines in philadelphia and new york city.

    view of haarlem with bleaching grounds, a painting by jacob isaakszoon van ruisdael (ruysdael), exemplifies the level of detail and craftsmanship that defines glackens' work. this piece is now part of the collection at the chrysler museum of art.

    glackens' own masterpiece, the shoppers, is a testament to his skill in capturing the essence of urban life. this painting can be found in the new realism collection at AllPaintingsStore.com.

    legacy and impact

    glackens' contributions to american art are multifaceted, extending beyond his own work. he played a pivotal role in helping albert c. barnes acquire european paintings for the barnes foundation in philadelphia. this collection has become a cornerstone of american art history. key works and collections: the shoppers (new realism, oil on canvas, chrysler museum of art) view of haarlem with bleaching grounds (ruysdael, sforza castle, milan, italy) recommended reading: * [https://AllPaintingsStore.com/@/william-james-glackens](https://AllPaintingsStore.com/@/william-james-glackens) - explore the extensive collection of glackens' work on AllPaintingsStore.com. * [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/william_glackens](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/william_glackens) - delve into the detailed biography of william james glackens on wikipedia.

    Where to read more

    Find this online

    QR code linking to the download page for The Swing

    originaluniqueart.com/en/art/download/william-james-glackens-the-swing-8YE4HA-en/

    Cite this artwork

    MLA
    Glackens, William James. The Swing. 1913, https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/william-james-glackens-the-swing-8YE4HA-en/
    APA
    Glackens, William James (1913). The Swing [Painting]. https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/william-james-glackens-the-swing-8YE4HA-en/
    Chicago
    William James Glackens. The Swing. 1913. https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/william-james-glackens-the-swing-8YE4HA-en/
    Harvard
    Glackens, William James (1913) The Swing. Available at: https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/william-james-glackens-the-swing-8YE4HA-en/

    Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Sept. 29, 2026

    The Swing — William James Glackens Part 4 · Artist and museum

    Look closely

    The Swing — William James Glackens

    Look closely

    Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.

    1. What catches your eye first, and why?
    2. Which colours or shapes create the mood — and what is that mood?
    3. Our catalogue files this work under: impressionism, leisure, women. Do you agree? What would you add, or take away?
    4. Look back at Family group (1911), earlier in this guide. Name two things it shares with this work, and one that is different.
    5. American Impressionism: Painters working fast and outdoors to catch how light actually looked at one moment, rather than finishing smoothly in a studio. Where can you see that in this work?

    Your response

    Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.

    Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Sept. 29, 2026

    The Swing — William James Glackens Part 5 · Look closely

    Questions & Answers

    Who created "The Swing" and what style is it in?

    Behind "The Swing" stand William James Glackens and the American Impressionism movement.

    What size and orientation are recommended for a print of "The Swing" by William James Glackens?

    A print of "The Swing" by William James Glackens is recommended at a medium size in landscape orientation.

    At what age did William James Glackens make "The Swing"?

    William James Glackens made "The Swing" at the age of 43. The artist was born in 1870 and the work is dated 1913.