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Thomas Eakins
(1844-1916)
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Think that you may own a painting by Thomas Eakins? We authenticate, appraise, research and issue certificates of authenticity (COA) and provide consultations for all paintings by Thomas Eakins. |
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Self-Portrait
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Thomas Eakins was an American painter born in
Philadelphia, and has been called one of America’s
greatest painters of all time. He painted in the Realist
style, and began his studies at the Pennsylvania Academy
of Fine Arts. From 1866-1870 he lived and studied in
Europe, studying under Jean-Leon Gerome in Paris. During
his time in Europe, he also traveled to Spain quite
often, and was highly influenced by Diego Velazquez.
This Spanish influence can be seen in many of his
paintings, particularly in his own self-portrait, as
well as his other portraits and genre scenes such as two
of his best known paintings, “The Gross Clinic” and “The
Agnew Clinic.” |
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The Gross Clinic
The Agnew Clinic
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In 1876, Eakins returned
to the Pennsylvania Academy and became a noted and
controversial teacher. Despite the fact that his
unorthodox teaching methods, including instructing his
students on how to draw nudes, he became the director of
the academy in 1882. Despite the great strides that
Eakins made, he was eventually fired by the board of
directors in 1886 because he removed the loin cloth of a
male model in the presence of female students. |
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Study for a Nude Man
The Model
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After Eakins was fired
from the academy, his output of work was deeply
affected. He mainly painted portraiture from then on,
but even these portraits benefited from his dedication
to anatomy in art. Eakins also put something of a
psychological angle on the portraits of his sitters, and
truly captured their presence. For this reason, many of
his portraits were rejected by his patrons, but remain
evidence of his genius as a painter today. |
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Portrait of
Maude Cook
Susan Macdowell
Eakins
Alice Kurtz
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Eakins early paintings were created by using motion
studies captured on film. As a result, he painted many
scenes of rowers, wrestlers or boxers, capturing them in
motion. He also became known as a photographer, though
he did not exhibit his photographs.
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Wrestlers
Max
Schmidtt in a Single Scull
Rowers
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Eakins was lifelong friends with famous American poet
Walt Whitman, and even painted his portrait. |
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Walt Whitman
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Today, Eakins contribution to American Realism can be
seen in the Ashcan School of paintings. He has since
emerged as a major figure in sexuality studies in art
history due to his compositions featuring homoeroticism
and his complex attitudes toward women. Eakins was truly
ahead of his time, and believed in teaching men and
women with equal regard, though he became a victim of
so-called “puritanical prudity.” This bohemian attitude
made it difficult for Eakins to rise up during his
lifetime as a noted painter, though secured him as a
major force in American art history. |
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Amelia van Buren
Dr.
William Thomson
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Still wondering about an American Realist painting in
your family collection? Contact us…it could be by Thomas
Eakins. |
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