Joseph Sweeney grew up along the banks of the Schuylkill River among a family of rowers and sailors. He had an early interests in the environment and ways to work with it. As soon as he was able to leave home, he set sail for the north Atlantic. It was there that he understood the true meaning of the natural world: A world that exists independent of the desires of man. It is that contact with nature that draws millions of people to the ocean every year. This painting is about the boathouse of the University of Pennsylvania which has undergone an extensive renovation in the last few years. It is one of the iconic structures along the banks of the Schuylkill River.
