Eakins, Thomas | Research & Encyclopedia Articles

Thomas Eakins

Born July 25, 1844
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Died June 25, 1916
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Painter

"Respectability in art is appalling."

A traveling exhibit of the major paintings of Thomas Eakins in 2001 attracted large crowds and strong critical praise. It was far different for Eakins during his lifetime as an artist working in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from the Reconstruction era (1865–77) to the early twentieth century. He sold a little over two dozen paintings and his work received a mild amount of attention during his lifetime. In modern times, however, he is regarded as the classic American painter of the Realist style. "Eakins's art was a monumental achievement," wrote art critic Hilton Kramer in 2001. "He was the first major painter of his period to accept completely the realities of contemporary American life and to create out of them a strong and profound art."

Science and Art

Thomas Cowperthwait Eakins was born on July 25, 1844, in Philadelphia. He was the first of five children of Benjamin Eakins and Caroline Cowperthwait Eakins. Benjamin Eakins was a writing master and teacher. A writing masterprovides artistic penmanship, ornamental script (elegantly decorative lettering), and design services for documents, certificates, and books.

Thomas Eakins would later paint a portrait of his father called The Writing Master.

Eakins, Thomas article

Read the rest of this article.
This article contains 1,750 words (approx. 6 pages at 300 words per page).