In the context of Seine (Van Gogh series), explain the Row boats of the Paintings.
Watercraft rowing, called "le rowing" by the French, was a sport picked up from the English and became popular by the 1880s.  Clubs and competitions were established for amateur sportsmen to meet on the Seine. Van Gogh's friend John Russell was an avid participant in local competitions.  In the summer of 1887 they often met at Theo's apartment on Rue Lepic where Russell was shown Vincent's paintings of boats, bridges and islands along the Seine, which with Russell's interest in rowing may have been inspiration for his paintings of the Seine at Bougival and Le Pecq.
Rue Lepic Theo Le Pecq Seine Bougival Watercraft rowing John Russell